My Pet World: Vaccine good tool as dog flu epidemic grows

Q: I live in Chicago, where there's an epidemic of dog flu. My dog is very social, so I was thinking about the vaccine. Now, I've heard that the virus has mutated and the vaccine is no longer effective. Any advice? -- C.G., Chicago, IL

Q: Our dogs play with other dogs all the time. I know about the dog flu in Chicago, but my veterinarian says it's not happening here. I do worry, though, about dogs who come here for the weekend (from the Chicago area) and could bring the flu with them. Should I have our dogs vaccinated? -- C.G., West Haven, MI

A: The epidemic of the canine influenza virus (CIV) has sickened over 1,000 dogs and caused at least five deaths in the Chicago area, according to Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator for the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control.

Most dogs have no previous exposure to this emerging illness. As a result, if exposed, it's exceedingly likely that any unvaccinated dog will get the virus. About a quarter of dogs who get the virus won't get sick but will still spread the virus.

Most dogs have mild symptoms, but about five to 10 percent require more aggressive care, including hospitalization, according to Dr. Cynda Crawfod, of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, who helped to discover the canine influenza virus.

"Relative to other illnesses, the mortality rate isn't high," says Crawford. "But if it's your dog that dies, that's certainly no consolation."

Crawford explains that the CIV virus has altered somewhat, but not mutated to the extent that human flu viruses often do. She adds that the vaccine doesn't require any adjustments at this time and remains effective.

The vaccine offers only some protection until a booster shot is given two or three weeks following the initial vaccine. Like the human flu vaccine, the canine vaccine may prevent a dog from getting sick all together, or lessen the severity of symptoms. Importantly, the canine influenza vaccine offers protection against pneumonia. That's important because most CIV deaths follow complications resulting from pneumonia.

Ultimately, the decision to vaccinate is between you and your veterinarian. For social dogs who reside in urban areas, Alexander notes, "Perhaps we ought think more seriously about utilizing this vaccine more often."

You're right that veterinarians are concerned about dogs traveling out of the Chicago area carrying the virus with them, particularly now, as many owners are hitting the road for spring break.

CIV could pop up in a big way elsewhere; certainly, that's possible. In fact, there are already unconfirmed reports of the virus occurring in other states.

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Q: Our elderly cat has had an eye infection for over a year. Our veterinarian prescribed Neo Poly Dex ointment and prednisone (steroid) drops, but neither has helped. Her eye is always red and swollen. Can you help? -- B.P.D., Henderson, NV

A: "A year is too long for this to be going on," says Dr. Gregory Hammer, of Dover, DE, a past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "I'm concerned that there's something else going on."

Dr. Natalie Marks, a Chicago veterinarian, agrees and says possibilities include the feline herpes virus (which would worsen with steroids), corneal abrasions, glaucoma and entropion (a condition in which a portion of the eyelid is inverted or folded inward against the eyeball, resulting in irritation and scratches to the cornea, sometimes leading to corneal ulceration or corneal perforation).

"The problem can likely be rectified, but it needs to first be identified," says Hammer. "At this point, I suggest a visit with a veterinary ophthalmologist."

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Q: When I purchased an Abyssinian kitten about 18 years ago, the breeder said I should have the cat neutered at 6 to 7 months old. Recently, I had the cat put to sleep due to old age. In searching for another kitten, I learned that now most breeders have kittens neutered before selling them. Does such early spay/neuter affect their growth and general attitude later in life? -- B.M., Hudson, FL

A: I'm sorry for your loss. And, yes, times have changed.

"Early spay/neuter is now routine in cats and dogs," says Los Angeles, CA-based veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber. "From a shelter perspective, it makes perfect sense, since over-population contributes to the reason why so many animals are found in shelters."

The answer is somewhat different for dogs, since recent studies show some types of cancer may be more prevalent in dogs spayed or neutered at under a year old (particularly some larger breeds), Werber says. There doesn't appear to be a similar issue in cats.

Also, in some individual small dogs, deciduous (baby) teeth which haven't fallen out may have to be removed surgically.

"It's an added expense and a second time of undergoing anesthesia around 12 weeks later if the dog is spay/neutered very early, so I suggest that some puppies may be better doing it all at once," Werber adds.

When cats are spayed/neutered early, hormonal changes may contribute to weight gain. This is important since obese and overweight cats contribute significantly to the current epidemic of diabetes, as well as other problems related to excess weight. (There's a helpful diet specifically for spay/neutered cats available from Royal Canin.)

"In dogs and cats, we're still unsure of the hormonal impact of early spay/neuter," Werber says. "No question, it's a safe surgery; that's not the issue. Medically, it's also better to spay a dog or cat before the first heat." Werber is not questioning the importance of spay/neuter. For one thing, spaying greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. People who wait to spay their pets until after the second heat significantly increase the risk of such tumors.

"Ultimately, I believe when to spay/neuter is a personal decision that should be discussed between the veterinarian and the client," Werber says.

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