Canine Influenza

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Canine Influenza

By Dr. Denice Moffat

If you haven’t heard yet, your dogs and horses could use a little immune boosting. 

Canine Influenza

There are now bunches of Greyhound dogs to rescue.

SITUATION: University of Florida researchers report that outbreaks of Canine Influenza virus, which causes an acute respiratory infection, have been identified in dogs in shelters, humane societies, boarding facilities and veterinary clinics in Florida, predominantly in Broward, Dade, Palm Beach and Duval counties. It started out in the Greyhound community.

This highly contagious virus is a newly emerging respiratory pathogen in dogs and causes a clinical syndrome that mimics “kennel cough.” The incubation period is two to five days after exposure.

10 Signs of Canine Influenza: https://youtu.be/lfkHSs_kCpw 

CLINICAL SIGNS of CANINE INFLUENZA: All dogs are susceptible and have no naturally acquired or vaccine- induced immunity. There is no vaccine for this, yet. There is evidence that vaccinating your pet for kennel cough may help a little bit. Vaccines should be given at least a week before exposure, and may need to be boostered as often as every six months. If you are going to vaccinate, ask for the intranasal vaccine. It works faster.

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In the 80’s we used to use Feline Distemper shots when we ran out of the low supply Parvo vaccines and it provided some help for the dogs. Similarly, the Bordetella vaccines supply some help for this particular disease. Virtually 100% of exposed dogs become infected. Nearly 80% come down with clinical signs. There are two general clinical syndromes — the milder syndrome and a more severe pneumonia syndrome.

WHAT YOU MAY SEE WITH CANINE INFLUENZA:

  • Soft, moist or dry cough that persists for 10-21 days despite therapy with antibiotics and cough suppressants.
  • Many dogs have yellow nasal discharge and a low-grade fever (that means a rectal temp. of 102.5-103.5 ºF.) The nasal discharge likely represents a secondary bacterial infection that quickly resolves with treatment with a broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotic.

Some dogs develop a more severe case of  Canine Influenza which includes:

  • Pneumonia (viral and bacterial),
  • High fever (104°F to 106°F,)
  • Increased respiratory rate/effort.
  • Thoracic radiographs may show consolidation of lung lobes.
  • Supportive therapy and maintenance of hydration with fluid therapy may be needed.
  • Fatality rate of 1-5%

I suspect that the human homeopathic drops will work quite well (especially the Viral and Bacterial Immune System Stim drops). I’ve noticed that they work quite effectively and quickly for regular kennel cough by eliminating the secondary infection and supporting the immune system.

WHAT DOGS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CANINE INFLUENZA?

  • Boarded animals
  • Doggie day care animals
  • Dogs participating in agility classes
  • Show animals (Dog shows)
  • Dogs taken to “dog parks” to play

Until such time as a vaccine is developed, a strong immune system will be your dog’s best defense against infection. For those of you who would like to be prepared, get a bottle of Pet Vaccinosis Nosode drops, a Professional Complementary Health Formulations formula the company formulated for me some years ago.

These drops will help detox the negative aspects of all vaccines. The drops should be given orally for two weeks prior to vaccination and up to two weeks after being vaccinated. They can also be used for the treatment of many of the diseases that you are vaccinating for and as a substitute for vaccines (IF AND ONLY IF you give the drops once a week for the lifetime of the pet—that’s a big IF in MY book!) One two-ounce bottle costs about $24 plus postage/handling.

MY CONCERN is that scientists have determined that a strain of Equine Flu mutated and is the source of the dogs coughing.  Are we going to be seeing increased mutations with other viruses in humans as well? Maybe.

WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE for CANINE INFLUENZA TREATMENT AND PREVENTION? As Dr. John Upledger, father of Cranio-Sacral Therapy, tell us: “It isn’t natural disasters that are going to kill us. It’s the viruses.”

A strong immune system is going to be crucial for the existence of all on the planet in the decades to come. How do we accomplish this? Eat your raw foods, eat fewer processed foods, decrease stress load where possible, get involved in what you were REALLY born to do here on earth, and take some great preventative supplements.

I use several. I take my own herbal Immune Stimulation Formula, Viral and/or Bacterial Immune System Stimulator Drops, and I take care of my adrenal glands with Drenamin, which is a protomorphogen/glandular. I don’t take these supplements all the time, but only at times when I’m exposed to colds/flu/or other things that surround me. Oh, and I definitely try to cut back on the sugar. Sugar will suppress your immune system for about 4-8 hours after you eat it, so for those of you who eat sugary things throughout the day, your immune systems are definitely in jeopardy.

Helpful Links and References for Canine Influenza: 

© 2007 by Dr. Denice M. Moffat  (Updated 4/20/19)