Bethesda, MD November 29, 2005. The skyrocketing
rise in domestic travel during the holiday season and the
easing of airline restrictions of flying with animals means
that pet owners in increasing numbers will be including their
pets in upcoming holiday and travel plans. Unfortunately,
this season a new disease may put a significant damper on
folks planning to travel with their pets. Canine Influenza
(Dog Flu), initially found in racing greyhounds, is a virus
that mutated from a strain of influenza affecting horses.
Highly contagious, the virus causes an acute respiratory infection
with signs that mimic "kennel cough", but is more
serious and usually requires veterinary attention. According
to independent researchers and the Centers for Disease Control,
Canine Influenza has been reported in dogs throughout the
U.S. and Canada.
Since Canine Influenza is new, every dog, regardless of breed
or age, is susceptible to the infection since they have no
naturally-acquired immunity. Experts estimate that nearly
100% of exposed dogs will become infected and about 80% will
exhibit clinical signs. At a recent CDC briefing, Dr. Cynda
Crawford of the University of Florida reported that "a
small population of dogs will develop complications, most
likely bacterial complications, and these dogs do need to
have their treatment supervised by a veterinarian."
The clinical signs of Canine Influenza include nasal discharge,
a low-grade fever, and a deep hacking cough, which generally
appear 2-5 days after exposure. Infected dogs can shed the
virus 7-10 days after they start to show clinical signs. About
20% of infected dogs never show any signs but are still able
to spread the infection to other dogs. Sneezing and coughing
are the most common forms of dog-to-dog spread, as well as
caretakers who handle infected and then healthy dogs. Additionally,
studies suggest that species transmission allows for the potential
for dog-to-human spread, similar to that of the rapid infection
of the avian flu.
In the initial outbreak of Canine Influenza, over a third
of the infected dogs died, but researchers now expect that
the mortality rate to be a 'low' 5-8%. "That number is
'low' only if yours isn't one of the dogs that dies, or that
you are not among the pet owners whose dogs contract the disease
and are hit with a big, unexpected pre-holiday vet bill,"
suggests Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig, medicinal compliance consultant
and head of the Veterinary Division of FLAVORx.
On the bright side, Canine Influenza is sensitive to antiviral
drugs like Tamiflu™, the prescription medication that
reduces the severity and duration of flu in humans. Tamiflu™
is being used by a growing number of veterinarians for treating
viral diseases, including Canine Influenza and Parvo virus
in dogs and upper respiratory diseases in cats. With data
that indicates Tamiflu™ is 92% effective in preventing
flu in people, the FDA has approved its use as a flu preventative.
Until a vaccination is developed, many veterinarians see Tamiflu™
as the only viable medication that they can provide for their
patients. But unfortunately, what has prevented most veterinarians
from using Tamiflu™ is the difficulty in accurately
dosing and convincing dogs to swallow it. In all forms, Tamiflu™
has an extremely bitter taste.
"The most necessary and effective treatment will fail
if the patient won't accept it. The circle of care is broken,
and the result is that the entire veterinary health system
fails that patient," states Ehrenzweig. Therefore, the
success or failure of the innovative use of Tamiflu in pets
rides on the willingness and ability of the pet to swallow
the medication. FLAVORx, the company that has eliminated the
world of bad-tasting medicine for kids, has added a flavoring
system for Tamiflu™ to its veterinary formulary. After
being inundated with calls from FLAVORx Veterinary System
users on how to flavor Tamiflu™, Ehrenzweig set out
to develop a formulary that would help vets as well as their
clients and patients. So far, reports from the field indicate
that dogs prefer beef and bacon, while cats like their Tamiflu™
with tuna, salmon or fish chowder flavors.
In hospitals --human and veterinary-- and pharmacies, FLAVORx
has become the definitive solution to the problem of non-compliance.
By changing bitter-tasting prescriptions, like Tamiflu™,
into tasty, even delicious, flavored liquids, compliance rates
in patients given flavored medications has risen dramatically.
The company's menu of veterinary flavors is designed to appeal
to the very different taste preferences of dogs and cats.
Veterinarians, charged with caring for patients with extremely
sensitive senses of taste and smell, have found the task of
adequately medicating these animals difficult, and often,
impossible. Rates of non-compliance in companion animals are
about 70% for dogs and a startling 90% for cats. FLAVORx's
pet-friendly flavors drive compliance rates to over 90% and
continue to amaze both veterinarians and pet-owners.
Ehrenzweig, a medicinal compliance consultant with twenty-five
years of veterinary practice experience, strongly advises
pet owners to follow some common sense rules until more is
known about Canine Influenza and an effective vaccine is developed:
- Watch your pets for signs of illness, and immediately
see your vet if your dog has a cough or if it is suspected
there might have been exposure to Canine Influenza.
- Keep your pet away from animals you don't know: animals
can spread the virus without showing any signs of being
sick.
- Wash you hands after petting or handling dogs. d. Don't
allow animals to "kiss" you or lick your face.
For more information, please contact Joel Ehrenzweig at (800)
884.5771 extension 212.
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