Dog Flu Outbreak- Vaccinate your dog?
Currently there is a Dog Flu outbreak happening in the U.S. (Minnesota), with many people wondering whether to vaccinate or not.
It can be serious, and none of us want our pets to get sick.
But vaccines (as you may know), are not the only way to help with infectious disease…
Quercetin is a type of flavonoid antioxidant that’s found in plant foods, including leafy greens, tomatoes, berries and broccoli, apple and red onion. It’s technically considered a “plant pigment.
It has multiple studies showing it to be beneficial for respiratory disease, and we now have our own Quercetin supplement.
Dr. Jones’ Ultimate BioActive Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant with antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. The supplement contains naturally sourced Sophora Japonica flower extract, in capsule form (powder in capsules), and is generally more bio-available than other quercetin forms. Each capsule contains 50mg quercetin, with 30 capsules per jar.
drjonesnaturalpet.com/ultimate-bioactive-quercetin.html/
Veterinarians work to prevent canine influenza from spreading, encourage dog owners to take caution
One of the biggest suggestions Fry offered is to limit exposure to other dogs and avoid dog parks, boarding facilities and doggy daycare.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Dr. Mitchell Fry at Como Park Animal Hospital in St. Paul said a surge in cases of dog flu is likely because of the pandemic.
“The big thing is, with COVID, a lot more dogs have been adopted. And… . a lot more dogs are at home and need boarding. So, essentially since we’re seeing more uptick in adoptive pets, the shelters are a lot more full, the boarding facilities a lot more full so, therefore seeing a higher uptick and we’re seeing this in other cities like Chicago and other major metropolitan cities, as well, ” Fry said.
Fry said the canine influenza vaccine is limited in the Twin Cities right now.
“So, if you have an older dog that has heart disease or history of upper respiratory infections, those are the ones we’re more encouraging to do vaccines or dogs we know are going to be boarding for a long time or are at risk for exposures for dogs, ” Fry said.
If a dog arrives with what’s believed to be the dog flu, staff take extra precautions, going out to the vehicle in full PPE.
“We take them in. We never let them touch the ground, so they don’t spread anything. We take them back and do x-rays or blood work and then treat appropriately, ” Fry said.
According to Fry, isolation and good hygiene are key.
“Some of these viruses are spread in two weeks. Sometimes, it takes 30 days when the dog is still spreading them, so cleanliness and quarantine are the most important part, ” Fry said.
One of the biggest suggestions Fry offered is to limit exposure to other dogs and avoid dog parks, boarding facilities and doggy daycare. Fry suggested dog owners go with an in-home dog sitter, if possible.
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What is the Dog Flu?
What are the signs of this infection in dogs?
Dog flu symptoms are a lot like human symptoms and include fever, cough, nasal discharge and lack of energy. And just like human flu it can be caught from sneezes and coughs, nose-to-nose contact or from infected surfaces. Symptoms last for about two weeks until the virus runs its course.
How serious is this infection in dogs?
The percentage of dogs infected with this disease that die is small. Some dogs have infections with no signs, while a small % have severe infections (less than 5%). Severe illness is characterized by the onset of pneumonia. Although this is a relatively new cause of disease in dogs and nearly all dogs are susceptible to infection, about 80 percent of infected dogs will have a mild form of disease.
How does dog flu spread?
Canine influenza virus can be spread to other dogs by direct contact with aerosolized respiratory secretions from infected dogs, by uninfected dogs coming into contact with contaminated objects, and by moving contaminated objects or materials between infected and uninfected dogs. Therefore, dog owners whose dogs are coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease should not expose other dogs to the virus. Clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease.
What is the risk to humans from this virus?
To date, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people and there has not been a single reported case of human infection with the canine influenza virus. While this virus infects dogs and spreads between dogs, there is no evidence that this virus infects humans.
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Dr Jones comments… .What should you do?
1. Common sense needs to apply here.
There are 75 million dogs in the US and Canada, and 1000 cases… that puts the odds of your dog getting the disease at: .00143%.
About 1 in 100, 000 dogs.
Odds you will be injured by a toilet this year: 1 in 10, 000
2. If you don’t live in areas where the outbreak exists, don’t even consider the vaccine
3. Most dogs (80%) have very mild symptoms, and some have no signs at all
4. This is a new disease, and new vaccine, with little information reported about side effects, in spite of over 1, 000, 000 doses.
Clearly there are adverse effects, as there are with all vaccines- more than the ‘anaphylaxis and/or other inflammatory immune-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. – that the company states
5. I won’t be vaccinating my dogs, nor would I be advising this if I were still practicing.
6. Similar to the flu in people, realize that most dogs have only mild signs IF they were to ever get it, and recover with simple supportive care.
7. Do what you can to keep your dog’s immune system strong.
– Good nutrition, ideally a quality holistic food, home recipes, raw food
-supplements to aid in immune function
EFA’s
Probiotics
Colostrum
Antioxidant vitamins and minerals, such as Quercetin
Best Wishes,
Dr. Andrew Jones
P.S. It’s important to be aware of this, and know that there are options. Your dog can get quite sick from the flu, but it is VERY unlikely.
P.P.S Here is one option which can help for allergies, as well as respiratory disease.
Dr. Jones’ Ultimate BioActive Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant with antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. The supplement contains naturally sourced Sophora Japonica flower extract, in capsule form (powder in capsules), and is generally more bio-available than other quercetin forms. Each capsule contains 50mg quercetin, with 30 capsules per jar.