Tag: Vetted

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Training days: Prepare now to ease pets out of quarantine

Dogs are getting lots of attention as owners dote on them during the stay-at-home order, but it’s important to give them some alone time to ease the transition back to a regular routine, says local veterinarian Dr. Mike Fietz. File photo

The coronavirus pandemic can be a frightening time. In this constant state of isolated vigilance, we worry about the health, safety, and prosperity of ourselves and others. But as the weeks drag into months, it is human nature to find silver linings. You may be honing your skills in the kitchen or learning a new instrument. Perhaps you’re finally indulging a neglected hobby. Or maybe you’ve decided this is the perfect time to adopt a pet.

And why not? You’re stuck at home with nothing but time, and it feels like the kids may never go to school again. Everyone will be there all day and every day to help with feeding and chores and potty training. This won’t just be a puppy. It’s going to be a super puppy—the best-trained dog in history.

You’re not alone. I’ve seen a clear uptick in new dogs and cats over the last month. And that’s great! There is no shortage of homeless animals out there, and I’m not going to argue with more of them finding their rightful place in loving families. But this adoption boom may have some unintended consequences.

Even just picking a pet can be more fraught than it was before. There are always people looking to leverage a crisis, and that means watching out for irresponsible breeders and puppy mills who know that demand might currently exceed supply. This can be a tough one. It’s not always immediately obvious who is acting in good faith. But it is wise to stick with shelters and rescues with a clear physical presence and an established record of good work.

With that hurdle cleared, new challenges await. It may be hard to believe right now, but one day this awful situation is going to end. The kids will stop learning math over Zoom, and the adults will return to their daily commute. After months of everybody being home, that’s going to mean an explosion of lonely and confused pets. Separation anxiety is no picnic, and I fear I’m going to be seeing a lot of it in 2021 (or maybe 2022…the jury’s still out).

Okay, this applies more to dogs than to cats. I can’t remember the last time I met a cat with separation anxiety, so if you adopted a kitten, you’re probably safe. But dogs are pack animals, and even under the best of circumstances, they need to be taught how to be alone. Otherwise it means a lot of noise, property damage, and vet bills when they swallow half the living room carpet because they thought you were gone forever.

It is vitally important that these dogs be given time to themselves every single day. This can be hard when there just isn’t much to do outside the house and even the usual chores like grocery shopping are being carefully scheduled. Start slow and give them some time alone in their crates while you go to a different room. Gradually introduce more time and distance. Take out the trash. Do some yard work. Go for a quick walk, then start making them longer. I know it feels criminal to waste a chance to take the dog along for a stroll, but you can all go out later that day. Dogs, especially puppies, need to practice getting along without you. Even if you’ve had your dog for years already, it’s important to be mindful of these changes in the routine. It’s great that four-mile hikes have become a daily event, but that won’t be true forever.

This may be an ideal time to adopt a pet, and animals can keep you grounded when the world seems out of control. But as we inch toward restoring global normalcy, make sure to start transitioning pets back to local normalcy, too.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

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Safe at home: Pets can be a comfort during the coronavirus

While pets often deal with their own strain of coronavirus, there’s no indication at this time that household pets spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to people, writes Dr. Mike Fietz. Getty Images

As we continue practicing social distancing and self-isolation in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, many of us are at home and spending a lot more time with our pets. They can be a tremendous comfort in a time like this; I have yet to find an antidote as soothing as my dog’s peaceful obliviousness to world events.

Amidst all this, it’s natural for pet owners to wonder if they have anything to worry about. Thankfully, the short answer is no. At this time, there is no evidence that dogs, cats, or other household pets spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to people. The long answer is more confusing.

Dogs can already be afflicted with their own varieties of coronavirus, most of which cause a brief bout of diarrhea. But if your dog has ever been diagnosed with “kennel cough,” there’s a chance it was infected with one of the respiratory strains instead. Regardless, the symptoms are usually mild and temporary.

Cats, especially those from shelter environments, are widely infected with their own coronavirus. Much like the canine version, some diarrhea is the most common symptom. But the usually mild nature of the feline coronavirus masks a frightening side. For reasons that aren’t completely understood, it can sometimes transform into a variant that causes a fatal disease called feline infectious peritonitis. These cases are relatively uncommon compared to the large numbers of cats carrying the virus, but they’re tragic all the same.

While pets have their own coronaviruses, it is unclear whether they can be infected with the specific virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. A very small number of dogs and cats (now including a tiger at the Bronx Zoo) have tested positive for the virus, and there is some preliminary evidence that cats can transmit it to one another. But it’s still early days, and the implications remain unclear. Even if they can be infected, it is unknown whether they can readily pass it to people. Despite the global scale of the pandemic, there have so far been no known instances of people catching this virus from household pets, and that is very encouraging.

At this point, you may find yourself with questions. If COVID-19 hopped over from bats, as is currently suspected, could the feline and canine coronaviruses do the same? Or could our pets become vulnerable to this pandemic? The answer is that there isn’t much to worry about in the short term, but that nothing is set in stone. Viruses change over time, and a virus that is well-adapted to one species could eventually happen upon the right mutations in the right genes to allow it to finally make the leap to another. These events are rare and represent legitimate evolutionary milestones. But as we are all currently learning, rare things happen.

This is important from an epidemiological perspective, but there is no practical day-to-day response for pet owners to take. Living in constant fear of specific illnesses becoming zoonotic–transmissible between species–isn’t productive. It is more important to prevent and control zoonotic diseases that already exist. Keeping pets routinely dewormed and properly vaccinated against infections like rabies and leptospirosis will keep you and your family safer than worrying about the staggeringly unlikely odds of becoming the next patient zero.

While animals remain an unlikely route of transmission for COVID-19, it remains wise to regard pets with the same social-distancing rules we are currently practicing with each other. Dogs shouldn’t be greeting each other during walks as they normally might. The risk is low, but at the very least it draws their respective people too close together. And cats should be kept indoors to be certain they haven’t encountered any people, or less likely cats, that may have been infected.

It is understandable that people crave more certain answers in a time of uncertainty, but it is the nature of science–especially emerging science–to avoid absolutes. There’s always “no current evidence to suggest” something, and “no known reason” to worry. This can sound like hedging, but it is born of a rational humility. The implicit acknowledgment of its own limits is why science is ultimately trustworthy.

And right now, science needs some time to figure out this mess. In the meantime, at least it seems safe to cuddle up with your own pets. They’re happy to have you home.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital.  He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

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Living

The vision thing: What do cats and dogs actually see?

Cats’ sleek and gorgeous eyes seem built for precision, but the precious pets are close to legally blind, with vision somewhere around 20/150! Photo: Getty Images

Centuries of domestic breeding have resulted in cats and dogs that come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. If you have a favorite breed, there’s a good chance that you like it to some degree because of the way it looks. But what do our pets see when they look back at us? In truth, they see better than us using multifocal contact lenses.

Let’s clear up the most common misconception first. Dogs do not see in black and white. They do, however, see a different color spectrum. This is because their retinas—the light-detecting membranes at the back of the eyes—are built differently. Human retinas have three types of light-sensitive cells called cones, each of which is tuned to a single color: red, blue, or green. Dogs have only red and blue cones, which makes their vision similar to that of a person with red-green color blindness.

Like humans, cats have three types of cones, but they still don’t see color all that well. This is because cats and dogs have another problem with color vision: Regardless of which cones they have, they don’t have very many of them. Instead, their retinas are packed with a different kind of light-sensing cells, called rods, that don’t detect color at all. Rods are better suited to seeing in dim light than they are to parsing the hues of rainbow. People have fewer rods than cones, so while we get to see the daytime world in bright color, we are fated to stub our toes searching for the toilet at night.

But all those rods aren’t the only reason why cats and dogs can see so well in the dark. You’ve likely noticed your pets’ eyes glow bright green at night. This is courtesy of the tapetum lucidum, a reflective layer behind the retina. Any light that slips through the retina bounces off this secondary layer for another pass through the animal’s retina, effectively doubling its sensitivity.

There’s more to vision than color and brightness, however. Compared to people, dogs and cats have limited visual acuity. Dogs have roughly the equivalent of 20/75 vision, meaning they need to be 20 feet away from something to see it as well as a normal person could at 75 feet. And you may be surprised to hear that cats fare even worse! Those sleek and gorgeous eyes seem built for precision, but cats are close to legally blind with vision somewhere around 20/150!

Making matters worse, dogs and cats have trouble adjusting their vision to different distances. This is because their lenses can’t adjust shape as readily as ours can. If you’re over 40, you’re familiar with what happens when your lenses start to become inflexible. It gets harder and harder to focus on anything close to your face. Welcome to life as a dog.

The short of it is that cats and dogs see better at night than we do, but those adaptations come at the cost of clarity. But poor vision doesn’t slow them down any. They don’t need to drive cars or read the fine print. And what they lack in eyesight, they make up with magnificently superior senses of smell and hearing. Even animals that lose their vision due to degenerative diseases do incredible job of navigating their homes, because their vision was never that great to begin with.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He moved to Charlottesville in 2003, the same year he received his veterinary degree from Cornell University.

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Cat pause: If your pet has a terminal virus, don’t panic

Routine testing for feline viruses is a good idea if your cat is sick or spends a lot of time outdoors. Photo: Getty Images/Sonsedska

Animals have a remarkable knack for stealing our hearts, and it doesn’t take long to develop a deep emotional bond with a new pet. This makes it all the more distressing to find out that a seemingly healthy young cat is harboring an incurable and potentially fatal illness. It is unfair but unfortunately common with the feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus.

FIV sounds like HIV, which is apt and can give you a decent sense of what the virus does. It is often referred to as feline AIDS, but just as with the human infection, this term only properly applies to the syndrome that occurs in the later stages. Until that happens, infected cats may show little or no evidence of the illness. But their immune systems are generally compromised by the virus, leaving them vulnerable to other infectious diseases and parasites. After a positive diagnosis, cats should receive frequent checkups to detect and treat secondary illnesses.

Cats with FeLV may also have suppressed immunity, but the virus ultimately gets its name from its ability to cause cancer in its victims. The virus replicates by inserting its DNA into the animal’s host cells, and the genetic mutation can cause infected white blood cells to lose control of their own replication, resulting in leukemia or lymphoma.

Both FIV and FeLV require close contact (such as mutual grooming) or biting to transmit, and they’re fragile outside their hosts. (Don’t worry, the viruses are not transferable to humans.) Infected cats should be kept indoors not only to avoid challenging their weakened immune systems, but also to prevent the infection of other cats.

Most veterinary clinics can test for these viruses with a simple in-house kit, but testing often falls by the wayside once cats have tested negative as kittens. This is potentially dangerous, especially in cats demonstrating chronic or recurring illness. False negatives are possible depending on the exact stage of infection, and it is important not to be complacent just because a cat tested negative years ago. While routine testing may not be warranted for healthy indoor cats, it can be valuable for those who are sick or spend a lot of time outdoors, where they might get into a scuffle.

Both viruses have vaccines, but their use is not cut and dried. The FIV vaccine can be wise in certain at-risk patients, but it comes with a big hitch in that it interferes with all common means of testing. Cats that have been vaccinated for FIV will test positive for infection. But since the vaccine is only about 80 percent effective, this makes for potential confusion if a pet develops worrisome symptoms after getting a dose.

It is far easier to recommend the FeLV vaccine for patients with a higher risk. Although the vaccine is also not perfectly effective, it does not interfere with testing, so we don’t lose clarity down the line. It only has an upside.

If you find yourself confronted with either diagnosis, it’s important to take a breath. The news is undeniably unfortunate: Neither virus is curable, and infected cats are likely to require more veterinary care to screen for trouble and to fend off secondary illnesses. But a pet owner should not let concern spiral into despair: Infected cats often experience many years without any symptoms at all, even into old age.

One of the joys of having pets is the perspective they bring. Even when their own health is endangered, they take life one day at a time and remind us to do the same. And in this case, there may well be a lot of good days to come.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003, the same year he moved to Charlottesville.

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Uncovered: The confusing world of pet insurance

In this installation of his column, Dr. Mike Fietz counsels on pet insurance.

For all the joy that animals bring into our lives, the stress of having a sick or injured pet can take a toll. Worrying about a pet’s welfare can be taxing enough, but the financial burden of diagnostics and treatment can add another layer of strain. Pet insurance can help dull the blow of unexpected illness, but it isn’t right for everybody.

Pet insurance doesn’t necessarily result in cost savings for the policy holder, nor is it specifically intended to. If a pet stays fairly healthy throughout its lifetime, an insurance plan may wind up costing more than the care it covers. If that same pet requires an emergency surgery or a long hospital stay, the math may turn out more favorably. But that’s just the nature of insurance. The point is to spend a predictable and manageable amount of money to hedge against the unexpected. As with human medical insurance, the healthy subsidize the sick.

There are differences, however. For better or worse, human medical insurance is tightly woven into the fabric of health care. You flash your card and pay a small copay, and the remaining negotiations happen behind the scenes. With pet insurance, you still have to pay for the entire visit up front. After that, you file your claim and hopefully get reimbursed. It works out in the end, but the process can create a window of financial strain while things process.

Instead of paying monthly premiums to an insurance provider, another option is to contribute the equivalent amount to a personal fund—sort of a homegrown health savings account for your pet. This keeps the money more flexible and immediately available but comes with an obvious catch. If a medical emergency arises before enough money has accumulated, you may be left short.

If you decide that pet insurance is the way to go, it remains vital to do research into plans and options because it is pretty much the Wild West. Some plans only cover accidents and illnesses and leave you on your own for routine preventive care like check-ups and vaccines. Others may exclude certain conditions or treatments like behavioral problems or dental care. It is likewise important to consider what illnesses might be common in your pet’s breed to ensure that you select a plan that covers them.

And while you’re considering all that, keep in mind that the clock is ticking. Pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, so once problems start cropping up, you’re on the hook for them. To get full coverage, you’ll need to commit while your pet is still healthy.

Pet insurance remains relatively uncommon, and only a small number of my clients use it. But I have certainly seen cases where they were glad they did. When a cat suddenly finds herself with a urethral obstruction from bladder stones, or an otherwise healthy retriever blows out his knee at the dog park, insurance can prevent a medical emergency from becoming a financial one. I just wish it was all simpler.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

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Holiday hazards: Keeping pets safe for the season

Taking steps in advance to keep pets away from the holiday bling and chocolate bark can keep them out of trouble.

The holidays must be a weird time for our pets. Their familiar homes are suddenly brimming with strange trinkets and lights. New smells are wafting in from the kitchen. And did I mention there’s a tree in the living room? While most pets adapt quickly to our inexplicable traditions, a few will find ways to get into trouble.

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the poisonous potential of the season. From baked goods to little foil-wrapped Santas, there is a whole lot of chocolate around this time of year. While small amounts of chocolate aren’t as toxic as you might fear, no self-respecting dog is going to stop with just one bite. It’s a good idea to keep that box of candy on the countertop instead of the coffee table.

Poinsettia plants are another inescapable Christmas symbol, and are widely known for their toxicity. Thankfully, their reputation is generally unearned. These plants can be minor irritants and can cause some stomach upset, but don’t present a life-threatening danger. It’s still wise to keep them out of reach, but there’s no need to banish them from your home.

Other holiday décor can be irresistible to curious animals. Dogs may try to snack on low-hanging ornaments, and what cat wouldn’t want to climb his own personal tree? Strings of lights and other electrical decorations can pose the risk of burns or electrocution if bitten. Depending on your pets’ personalities, you may need to find creative ways to keep them away from your newly decked halls, or reconsider what decorations you choose.

When it comes time to open gifts, keep your animals in mind. Ribbons and strings look nice on a present, but can quickly obstruct the intestines of pets that consume them. As gifts are unpackaged, twist ties and plastic bags left out can be a choking or asphyxiation hazard. And animals may not be able to tell the difference between a child’s new treasure and a chew toy.

Setting aside these holiday trappings, it’s also a time of year to gather with friends and family. While many pets relish the company, anxious animals may find the chaos stressful. The constant arrivals and departures can trigger dogs’ protective tendencies or allow flighty animals to escape. And the sudden presence of children (who, let’s be honest, can get a little intense under the influence of Christmas) may increase the risk of bites and scratches. If there’s any doubt at all, it’s best to keep animals safely elsewhere until things calm down.

Animals are inherently festive, and they can bring a lot of joy to the season. But there is a lot going on this time of year, and much of it can be confusing for our pets. Most seasonal hazards require a bit of mindfulness to avoid, but with a house full of guests and dinner cooking in the kitchen, it’s easy to get distracted just long enough for trouble to start. Taking a moment in advance to identify potential problems can make it easier to relax once the celebration really begins.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

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Control issues: New restrictions on prescribing opioids for pets

What do new restrictions on controlled substances mean for pet owners?

It’s been hard to escape news of the opioid crisis over the past few years. And it’s just as difficult to ignore the complicity of the nation’s health care system in creating it. Opioid medications—drugs similar to morphine and named for the opium poppy plant that produces them—have an important role to play in patient care. Used correctly, they are vital tools in controlling pain and suffering. But they have not always been used correctly, and the resulting addiction crisis has come at great cost in dollars and, more importantly, lives.

These drugs are also used in veterinary medicine. The past few decades have seen an increased emphasis on pain management in veterinary patients, and I believe that is a good thing. Short-term use of opioids is a safe and effective way to control acute pain associated with things like surgery or trauma. The danger comes with long-term use, as opioid receptors in the brain become accustomed to the drug and demand more of it.

There remain, however, many cases where long-term opioid use is justified. Some animals have concurrent medical conditions that preclude use of non-opioid alternatives. And sometimes, it’s the only thing that works. While animals can become addicted in theory, it is uncommon in practice. They simply have no control over their own dosing, which limits the potential for escalating abuse.

Recent changes in Virginia state law have established a prescription monitoring program that creates a consolidated database intended to track use and misuse of controlled drugs. This includes opioid medications like tramadol, and even some non-opioid medications like gabapentin that have the potential for abuse. These laws extend to veterinarians and have resulted in significant changes in the way we can prescribe these medications. The concern isn’t that animals are becoming addicted, of course. It’s that these drugs might be diverted for human use.

Veterinarians were given two options to comply with this program, and the first—submitting daily reports of all controlled substances prescribed—just isn’t feasible for most practices. Instead, most have elected to accept a waiver that limits them to dispensing one week of medication. If more than that is required, it must be prescribed through an external pharmacy so it can be monitored appropriately. It also requires that these animals be evaluated at least once every six months to keep the prescription active.

What does this all mean for pet owners? Mostly, it means that things are less convenient than they were before. If your pet requires ongoing use of a controlled substance, it is important to make sure that she is seen by her vet every six months. Your vet may be able to help by sending an automated reminder. It is also important to request refills well before your current supply runs out to avoid problems and delays.

I don’t know how much of a role veterinarians really play in the opioid crisis, but we’re wrapped up in it all the same. While these drugs shouldn’t necessarily be feared, they deserve respect and care in their use. Inconvenient as they may be, these new regulations are intended to make sure that care is taken.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

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False promises: The myth of hypoallergenic dogs

The idea that pet owners can find a hypoallergenic dog is not backed by science. Image: Getty Images

Finding a new dog isn’t trivial, and I’m often faced with questions about the process. There are so many variables to consider. Should you adopt a puppy or rescue an adult? What size dog best fits your lifestyle? Some questions have easier answers than others, and many require a degree of generalization that makes me uncomfortable. I can never say for sure that a certain breed will be good with children or that your choice will be easier to house train. But there is one thing I do know for sure: You can give up on your search for a hypoallergenic breed.

Allergies to pets are a very real thing. For many, the symptoms are some mild sniffling and sneezing. But more severe reactions are possible, ranging from rashes to asthma attacks. It is understandable that people afflicted with such allergies might want assurance that their new best friend isn’t going to be a medical liability. And that’s why it is vitally important to make this clear: As pervasive as the idea has become, there is absolutely no evidence that some breeds are hypoallergenic.

Don’t put away the tissues just yet.

Research has shown absolutely no difference in the presence of allergens in homes with supposedly hypoallergenic dogs compared to homes with “regular” ones.

Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to something that wouldn’t otherwise be a threat. In this case, proteins in a dog’s skin or saliva are the trigger. While direct contact with dogs can produce symptoms, it isn’t necessary. Microscopic flakes of skin are constantly being shed from any animal. These particles, collectively called dander, will spread well beyond the dog’s reach. Some will remain suspended in the air, waiting to be inhaled. Others settle on clothing or furniture, ready to trigger skin allergies on contact.

While many breeds of dog are advertised as hypoallergenic, the most common ones seem to be those perceived as shedding less. The idea is that if they aren’t filling your home with fur, then they must not be filling it with dander either. It’s a completely reasonable supposition. Unfortunately, it also turns out to be a false one. Research has shown absolutely no difference in the presence of allergens in homes with supposedly hypoallergenic dogs compared to homes with “regular” ones.

Wittingly or not, breeders have seized on the popularity of hypoallergenic breeds. These dogs are often sold at premium prices to families willing to spend thousands of dollars for a perceived medical necessity. These families deserve to know that they are buying into a fiction.

If someone in your family does suffer from pet allergies, it is important to speak to your physician or allergist before adding a dog or cat to your home. Perhaps the allergy is mild enough to be managed with air filters, designated pet-free rooms, or medication. But the decision and its consequences are too important to revolve around a myth.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

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Breathing easier: Getting through reverse sneezing

Your pooch may look frightfully stressed when reverse sneezing occurs, but most cases are temporary. file photo

Anything that looks this terrifying must be an emergency. The poor dog is standing with her legs braced and head thrust forward, and the corners of her mouth are pulled taught in a frightening grimace. Her belly contracts and her ribcage tenses in powerful bursts, and a thundering snort marks each strained breath. She’s distressed, and it feels like it’s gone on far too long. You reach for the phone and before you can dial your vet, it’s over. She wags her tail and goes about her day.

Alarming as it might appear at the time, this describes a typical bout of reverse sneezing, and it is simply an attempt to alleviate some kind of discomfort in the rear of the nasal cavity. In much the same way that a regular sneeze tries to blow an irritant out of the nose with an explosive burst of air, reverse sneezing attempts to suck an irritant back into the throat so it can be swallowed or spit out.

In most cases, the cause of irritation is minor and temporary. Perhaps a bit of dust or a blade of grass from the yard got stuck in the wrong place. If so, you may see a few episodes before it clears up for good. If allergies are responsible, you might see a pattern of symptoms occurring only in certain months. But so long as symptoms are sporadic, there isn’t any cause for alarm.

If reverse sneezing is observed frequently over a long period, however, it could indicate that more is going on. Brachycephalic breeds (like pugs, bulldogs and others with scrunched-up faces) can develop reverse sneezing because their soft palate is too long and hangs in the way. Nasal mites (yeah, that’s really a thing) are another potential cause and stubborn cases of reverse sneezing might be treated just to see what happens. And rarely, tumors and polyps in the nasal passageway can be responsible, but these may require advanced imaging like CT scans to locate.

Regardless of the cause, there isn’t much to do during a bout of reverse sneezing. It will stop on its own once the irritation is cleared. I’ve seen all sorts of suggested remedies. Some people recommend covering one or both nostrils, blowing gently in the dog’s nose or stroking the throat. I don’t know of any evidence that these methods help, but since the problem is self-limiting, I suspect that nearly any action can be misinterpreted as effective. Most episodes are finished in a few minutes no matter what you decide to do. My preference is to leave them alone. Getting in the dog’s face may add a new irritation while they try to manage the first one.

Thankfully, reverse sneezing is one of those things that looks far worse than it is. While some cases eventually warrant a deeper look, most of them blow over in a hurry, and you and your dog can both breathe a sigh of relief.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

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The trouble with dog flu

The dog flu can leave vets and pet owners guessing as to whether a vaccination is necessary. File photo

It’s flu season for us humans, and the advice really couldn’t be more simple. Get your flu shot this year and every year. We are social animals who spend most of our day in relatively close physical proximity, and it’s very easy for us to get each other sick. Vaccination may provide an imperfect defense, but any step taken to reduce the total misery inflicted upon the population every year is just being a good neighbor.

Canine influenza shares much in common with its human counterpart. It brings the familiar symptoms of coughing, sneezing and fever and almost always resolves without treatment. Just like human flu, it can leave behind a stubborn cough for a few weeks and can become legitimately dangerous for an unlucky few.

There are currently two common strains of canine flu. The first one (charmingly dubbed H3N8) jumped over from horses around the turn of the millennium and a vaccine has been available for several years. The second strain (H3N2) may have come from birds or pigs and was responsible for a large outbreak in 2015 in Chicago. A new vaccine was released for this strain last year. Despite originating in other species, these viruses have not yet been observed to infect people, although the newer virus may have some ability to infect cats.

Without specific testing, the flu is indistinguishable from any of the other kennel cough infections that we see in dogs on a regular basis. But that testing is rarely performed. Since these cases all progress similarly regardless of the underlying cause, patients are usually managed conservatively, with more aggressive options reserved for unusually severe disease. This makes it very difficult to get a handle on local outbreaks and what might be causing them. We are, more often than not, guessing.

Given the similarities with human flu, you’d think it would be easy to recommend blanket vaccination of the entire population against canine influenza. But that isn’t the case. There are important differences to consider in the way the flu spreads in people versus dogs and in the way available vaccines work against them.

For one thing, human influenza strikes a significant fraction of the population every year. If you didn’t get the flu this season, you almost certainly know someone who did. It is everywhere. Even a partially effective human vaccine can spare millions of people from illness and days of lost productivity. In contrast, canine flu tends to pop up unpredictably in small, isolated outbreaks. The benefits of population-wide vaccination simply aren’t as clear.

People also have more compelling options for vaccination than dogs do. The human vaccine is designed to protect against a broad number of flu strains, and is periodically recalibrated to keep up with the virus as it shifts and evolves. Some years it is more successful than others.

Canine flu vaccines are less sophisticated. We have individual vaccines against each of the two strains, but we can’t really predict when or where either one might pop up. Dogs that get one flu shot remain vulnerable to the other strain. You could give both vaccines, but the next big outbreak may well be an entirely new strain.

This is not to say that these vaccines are worthless. The old strains will always be out there, and they can still make dogs sick. Even flawed protection may be justified in high-risk situations like shelters and kennels, but our expectations should be tempered and people need to know the limits of what canine influenza vaccines can accomplish.

Maybe our tools will improve in the future, but, for now, I only recommend canine flu vaccines on a case-by-case basis. As for us humans? I plan on keeping myself covered.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

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Up for adoption

You can meet us at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, where we’re all available for adoption. 3355 Berkmar Dr. 973-5959, caspca.org, noon-6pm, daily.  

I’m Burly, and my personal history is as mysterious as my big brown eyes. What you should know about me, though, is that I understand basic commands and I love treats…a lot. Kong toys, pork knees—you name it. I’m also a little shy, but I love attention.

I’m Dory and, even though I look fairly sedate, a fun time is never lost on me. I love the shelter’s A-frame scratcher—for climbing, sitting and, I’ll admit, stalking my cat friends (in a friendly way!). A home with other cats would be fine with
me (and them, I promise).

Hey there, I’m Julia. I’m a TV junkie (fur real), a cuddler and a toy enthusiast—anything from balls to towels thrills me. I’m also an introvert, so we need to start our relationship slowly. Once I get to know you, though, I’ll purr as loudly as you’ve ever heard.

Hi, I’m Irene, and I’m so excited to meet you. In fact, often I get so excited that the whole back half of my body wags uncontrollably. It’s adorable (everyone says so). One thing, though: Kids kind of scare me, so I’d like to go to a home without any little ones.