Dog owners and canine flu?

[walden]

Has your vet recommended a canine flu vaccine?

Mine has. Especially for any dogs who mingle in groups, go to training or might be kennelled. Ugh, we mingle in groups often because we are social, the new "rescue" pupper needs "basic" obedience training soon, and we do keep UTD with vax for bortadella -- just in case we need to kennel in family emergencies. And, to be frank, we have a couple of older relatives that might depart this life soon and we might need to kennel in the next 6 months.

Apparently canine flu is spreading rapidly in many states. Only fatal in 8% of cases, -- usually very young and very old and frail -- but many dogs do seem to get pretty sick and it is supposed to be highly infectious. Per my vet, kennels may soon be requiring this vaccination.

So, do we vax or don't we? Opinions pro and con, and any info on canine flu very welcome.

 

[WDWBarb]

Has your vet recommended a canine flu vaccine?

Mine has. Especially for any dogs who mingle in groups, go to training or might be kennelled. Ugh, we mingle in groups often because we are social, the new "rescue" pupper needs "basic" obedience training soon, and we do keep UTD with vax for bortadella -- just in case we need to kennel in family emergencies. And, to be frank, we have a couple of older relatives that might depart this life soon and we might need to kennel in the next 6 months.

Apparently canine flu is spreading rapidly in many states. Only fatal in 8% of cases, -- usually very young and very old and frail -- but many dogs do seem to get pretty sick and it is supposed to be highly infectious. Per my vet, kennels may soon be requiring this vaccination.

So, do we vax or don't we? Opinions pro and con, and any info on canine flu very welcome.

Ugh! I haven't gotten the vaccination for my dogs (my vet as materials around the office about it but hasn't said anything to me about it yet) but now I'm taking this a bit more seriously. 8% of cases are fatal?? That's a lot!!

 

[itsheresomewhere]

Our vet talked about but said he is not forcing anyone to get it nor is it required for boarding. He said it is primarly in the south but not to say it isn't here. I did not do it for a few reasons but to each their own.

 

[DisneyKT]

My vet talk to me about it, he said there isn't enough known about the results of the vaccine for him to recommend it.

 

[walden]

Yes, that is why I need a reality check. My vet is advising me to get it, but is not beating me up over hesitating over it. She also says that she has vaccinated her own dogs. She has seen 3 cases in MA so far. And she has a smallish practice. Nothing like what they are seeing in Florida.

On the flu vax itself: it is not cheap, around $60 +/- according to your vet. It is two shots, two-three weeks apart. Side effects for the shot seem to be minimal, but I don't like unnecessary vaccinations. The dog is not "immunized" until 2 weeks after the second shot. It is certainly not required by kennels or trainers in MA yet . . . but that is a long wait if they change the rules and I need an emergency kennel because my regular dog-sitter is already booked!

Keep the info coming.

Thanks!

 

[debbi801]

Has your vet recommended a canine flu vaccine?

Mine has. Especially for any dogs who mingle in groups, go to training or might be kennelled. Ugh, we mingle in groups often because we are social, the new "rescue" pupper needs "basic" obedience training soon, and we do keep UTD with vax for bortadella -- just in case we need to kennel in family emergencies. And, to be frank, we have a couple of older relatives that might depart this life soon and we might need to kennel in the next 6 months.

Apparently canine flu is spreading rapidly in many states. Only fatal in 8% of cases, -- usually very young and very old and frail -- but many dogs do seem to get pretty sick and it is supposed to be highly infectious. Per my vet, kennels may soon be requiring this vaccination.

So, do we vax or don't we? Opinions pro and con, and any info on canine flu very welcome.

I would vax. We got a dog from a shelter the end of July and she wound up catching it. She was pretty miserable for a while and on 2 different antibiotics. Plus she was contagious and we couldn't take her anyplace until she was finished her antibiotics.

 

[walden]

I would vax. We got a dog from a shelter the end of July and she wound up catching it. She was pretty miserable for a while and on 2 different antibiotics. Plus she was contagious and we couldn't take her anyplace until she was finished her antibiotics.

A very, very good argument for the vax! I don't want my dogs to get sick if the vax has minimal side-effects.

Thank you, debbie, and I hope your dog is all better now.

I hope more people chime in too.

 

[kacaju]

I have not gotten it for my dogs. We are at dog shows just about every weekend (have 1 tomorrow, and 2 next weekend) and I have not heard much talk about it at the shows.
If it became a problem, yes I would. In fact one of our dogs has an appt this week so hopefully I will remember to ask the Vet. There are a lot of dog show people that work for our Vet, so i wil see what they think.

 

[kerstfan1]

if i have to board mine in a kennel it is requierd to have it

 

[mamamary]

When Baxter went in for his annual exam it was rec. that he get it and so we did.

 

[mickeysaver]

We asked about it in December of last year when the vaccine was very new, but our vet had not stocked it, so they did not get it before they were boarded then for our Disney trip. We went to Disney again in August and asked if it was required, the PetsHotel folks said no and that they had not had any incidence of it there yet, so we skipped it. When my MIL dies, which will most likely be within the next few months, we will have to board them again. I will check again to see if it's needed and make a mad dash to the vet with them before they are boarded if it is. I want to do everything necessary to protect my babies and if they need a flu shot, they are getting it.

 

[Evi]

I haven't heard of this till now but I will actually ask vet about it. I know last season during swine flu the vet warned me that it can be transferred from human to pet so he advised me to keep my little guy away from anyone who was sick. I also recently hear of dogs getting hepatitis. which worries me when they go for walks they walk on everything. I guess I love my little guy so much I worry when I realize just how fragile dogs can be.

 

[DawnCt1]

Connor gets groomed regular thus is where other dogs are or have been and we board him on occasion. It is a very serious condition in dogs and not worth the risk to me. I vaccinated him already.

 

[walden]

Thanks everyone.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get mine vaccinated. Better safe than sorry and I don't want them to risk it. Did anyone here notice any negative reactions to the vax?

To those who were asking, it does not seem to be required for boarding or going to training anywhere yet but, if canine flu does seem to be spreading in your state, kennels may start requiring it -- as with Bortadella (kennel cough).
Mickeysaver, like you I may have to board the pups at short notice too for similar reasons. This is not something that you can do at the last minute in an emergency. What worries me is the month lag time before the Canine Flu vax is thought to be effective.

 

[arminnie]

I just got my dog his annual shots on Sept 2nd, and it was not mentioned. My dog has been boarded since then. I must go pick him up this week (I am almost 500 miles away from him right now).