Dog Owners Taking Extra Precautions Due to Canine Flu Vaccine Shortage
Warning for Dog Owners
A warning for dog owners – a short supply of the canine flu vaccine has some taking extra precautions. CBS 2’s Suzanne Le Mignot had the story about the shortage and what owners are doing to protect their pets. Dr. Sara Kessel, a veterinarian at Old Town Animal Care Center, said they currently don’t have any vaccines available for their patients. The bivalent canine influenza vaccine protects dogs against two different strains of the flu and is especially important for social dogs since it’s transmitted nose to nose.
Younger Dogs Without Immunity
Younger dogs who have never had the vaccine have no immunity. CBS 2 met Maynard, an 8-month-old Goldendoodle, whose owner has to take extra steps because of the lack of the flu vaccine for dogs. Jeremy Lee, Maynard’s owner, said he had kept him away from the dog park since he was alerted to the issue.
Vaccine Recommended for Yearly Immunizations
Kessel said Chicago veterinarians often recommend the canine flu vaccine with yearly immunizations, and boarding facilities usually require it. The series is a two-shot series, given two to four weeks apart, and then you have complete immunity after that, and then we booster once per year. A sign at Wiggly Field Dog Park says dogs must be fully immunized. Kessel said her practice had seen an uptick in dogs with respiratory symptoms in the past few months.
Cautious Dog Owners
Sisters Mariah Ham and Brooke Freire are also cautious. While Brooke’s 4-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever Mila isn’t due for a booster until August, 3-year-old Chloe is supposed to get her champion next month. Freire said they hope they can get enough runway that the vaccines are beginning to come in by the time immunity starts to wane.
Signs of Canine Flu
Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, and diarrhea are signs your dog could have the canine flu. Veterinarians have been told the vaccine supply chain issue should be fixed by spring.
