Southland Weimaraner Club

The premier Weimaraner Club for Southern California.

2017 Southland Weimaranr Club Match and Weim Festival

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Well Ladies,

We pulled it off !! Just our small group managed to provide all the equipment and almost all of the manpower to do the entire event.  And I thought everything went very well.

At the end of the day an ex-member named Bob Hunt did help us out with tearing down and putting away equipment, that was very kind of him.

But other than that – it was all us.

Thanks to Vickie for thinking of the nail demo, and to Louise for giving it. That was great.

I am pondering having a Fancy Weim Hat contest next year, what do you think?  Might be fun – and see what people show up with.  If you have any ideas of other fun stuff, please let me know.

The games seem to have faded away.  I’ve come prepared for the past 2 years, without many takers.  So we need to have some alternative, all input is appreciated.

Thank you,

Gina

We had a great turnout for the match and “handling class” prior to the Festivle avtivities.  It was a nice day, and Judge   did a great job with the youngsters and calmed the handler nerves too!

Judge Carrie Racey placed the entries as follows:

  • Mary McElwee – # 217 – 6-9 Puppy Dog –  1st place BOB in Match
    • Hat’s Off N Heirlooms Change The World
  • Charles Salse – # 219 – 12-18 Month Dog – 1st place
    • Barrett’s Stars n’ Stripes
  • Louise Brady  – #211 – 3-6 Puppy Bitch – 1st place – BOS in Match
    • Star’s Electrical Storm
  • Dona Tanaka – #215 – 3-6 Puppy Bitch – 2nd place
    • Star’s Electrical Output
  • Louise Brady – #213 – 3-6 Puppy Bitch – 3rd place
    • Star’s Luminous Flux
  • Gina Grissom – #216 – 6-9 Puppy Bitch  – 1st place
    • Hat’s Off N Heirlooms Abbey Road
  • Tammy Basile – #221 – 6-9 Puppy Bitch – 2nd place
    • Hat’s Off Strawberry Fields Forever

 

A special Thank you from Friends for Pets:

I received the following email from Diane Monahan and wanted to share it with all of you (with her permission of course!)

Hi, Vickie,

We want to thank each of the SWC members for their participation in the 23rd Weimaraner Festival on our behalf.  What an incredible day!  This always is a wonderful opportunity for So CA Weim Rescue adopters/supporters and SWC members to come together and enjoy and share our love of the breed.

It’s quite incredulous what a following the Weim Festival has earned. Our adopters ask months in advance if the date for the Festival has been finalized. As you know, they come (with their Weims, of course) from Oregon, from San Diego, from Orange County, Carmel, Palm Springs, the Santa Clarita Valley. They come because of the promised fun day with their Weims.  They come because they believe and support both Rescue and the Club.

I feel very proud of what we have accomplished together.

We’re greatly  indebted to Gina Grissom for bringing this event to fruition and for recognizing long ago how meaningful it would be for our two groups to communicate and work together.

We’re already looking forward to next year!

Warm regards,

Diane Monahan, Founder/Executive Director

Friends For Pets Foundation
Southern CA Weim Rescue
Nonprofit 95-4098708
www.friendsforpets.org

From the Editor/Membership person:

The Festival kicked off with games selling/buying of raffle tickets, old and new acquaintances (both Weim and Human) met and talked.  Stories were told of  compassion and love of the breed.  All this to give Weimaraner families a place to gather and enjoy each others company, talk with long time Weim breeders and owners, old and new Rescue fami lies and allow us all to exchange information, & ideas and raise funds for Friends For Pets.   A sincere THANK YOU to Gina Grissom for doing her usual wonderful job of organizing and pulling off another great Festival.

One thing I would like to say, if you are reading this, whether you got your Weim from a breeder or from rescue, and are not a member of SWC, you might want toconsider joining and helping out so these types of activities can continue.  The club could use some new (younger) members to keep this and other events going on old and new aquaintances (both Weim and Human) met and talked.  Stories were told of  compassion and love of the breed.  All this to give Weimaraner families a place to gather and enjoy each others company, talk with long time Weim breeders and owners, old and new Rescue families and allow us all to exchange information, & ideas and raise funds for Friends For Pets.   A sincere THANK YOU to Gina Grissom for doing her usual wonderful job of organizing and pulling off another great Festival.

One thing I would like to say, if you are reading this, whether you got your Weim from a breeder or from rescue, and are not a member of SWC, you might want to consider joining and helping out so these types of activities can continue.  The club could use some new (younger) members to keep this and other events going on.

Two Thousand Words with Joan Valdez of Valmar Weimaraners

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The first time I ever saw a Weimaraner was when I was invited to a friends home and they had this most incredible looking Grey dog. I was fascinated by the eyes and coat color. I had to ask what breed she was? I fell in love that night and had to have a Weimaraner in my future. Unfortunately, I did not do too much research on the breed before hand  and basically bought on a whim from an Ad in the newspaper…… purchase price was $50. I named her Heide von Heistenhof (Heist was my maiden name). “Heide” was a  good German name & so original for a dog, I thought!  Little did I know how unruly this puppy was going to be. When she was 6 months old, I signed up for a local obedience class, hoping this would correct the situation. It was there that I met my mentor and very best friend, Lynne Nelson of Schwenden Weimaraners. At that time Lynne had a  lovely Weimaraner bitch named “Kate” Ch Von Gaiberg’s Kate Schwenden, BROM, which was being expertly handled at the shows by Dick Webb. I thought she was beautiful! With Lynne’s guidance I did try showing my Heide for a while and I learned a lot from this experience, although the highest prize I ever won with her was a Reserve ribbon. I soon realized she was not the quality of those that were winning points.   I began to watch and study the techniques and showmanship from many of the top winning handlers at that time. I learned so much by just observing. I continued to train Heide in obedience and did very well with her by acquiring a CDX  title, but I was ready to move on to big and better things…

Lynne informed me about the two available Weimaraner clubs that I could join, which I readily joined. I have been a member of  the Weimaraner Club of America and Southland Weimaraner Club since 1964.  In January of 1988  I volunteered to take over the job of Editor of “Graymatter” the SWC newsletter. Needless to say I  had no idea I would still have this job almost 20 years later!

VALMAR WEIMARANERS originated in Southern California in 1965 when I had the chance to co-own a show quality Kate daughter with Lynne Nelson. This one year old bitch had just been returned to Lynne from the original owner and I jumped on the opportunity to co-own her.  This bitch who later became Ch Von Gaiberg’s Anna Schwenden, BROM, finished her championship quickly and “Anna” became the foundation of Valmar Weimaraners.  She was an extremely outstanding individual, who was strongly line-bred from Homer Carr’s Von Gaiberg line.  Bred to Ch Doug’s Dauntless Von Dor, she produced 6 Champion offspring…. Ch Valmar’s Elke Schwenden, Ch Valmar’s Eclipse V Bergen, Ch Valmar’s Exa Schwenden, Ch Valmar’s Graf Schwenden, Ch Valmar’s Greco Schwenden & Ch Valmar’s Grafin Schwenden.  From these individuals have come some of the Top Winners & Producers of our Breed today and thus establishing a tradition of quality in the Valmar line.

There have been many great Valmar dogs as proven by their pedigrees of carefully line-breeding quality Weimaraners, along with the ability to pass on their style and quality to succeeding generations. Valmar dogs have produced over 565 Champions (156 carrying the Valmar name), which have included: 6 All-Breed Best in Show Winners (Ch Valmar’s Pollyanna, Ch Valmar Smokey City Ultra Easy, Ch Valmar’s Apache Rebel, Ch Silverkist Davie Lee (Jazzman son), Ch Valmar’s Gallorette v Jokar & Ch Bzyfeet American Idol (Valmar dam), 32 Futurity Winners, 30 BROM Producers, Multiple Sporting Group & National Specialty Winners, Dual & Field Champions, WCA Ratings, Obedience Titles and 4 Valmar dogs have been inducted into the WCA Hall of Fame.

Top Dog at Valmar in the 1970s & 80s was Ch Valmar’s Jazzman, CD,NRD,NSD,V,BROM, HOF. Jazz is one of the great dogs of our Breed, who will be remembered as a legend in his own time. He proved himself in every way.  He was the 1980 National Specialty Winner, on the Top Ten Show list for 3 years (#2 in 1979) winning 100 Best of Breeds & Multiple Sporting Groups, and was a Top Producing Sire for 8 years, which included #1 Top Producing Weimaraner sire (#2 Sporting, #6 All-Breed) for 1983.  Jazz is currently the #5 All-Time Producer of Champion offspring with 75 show Champions, including a Dual Champion.

In 1975 I had the opportunity to be a video film star! The filming was to be done in Southern California, and I was asked to be one of the three major handlers in the filming of the WCA video: “The Weimaraner: Standard, Structure and Gait”. If you have seen the video I am the one in the mini skirt…. as I look at it now, way to short! The producers and directors of the film were Ted and Lori Jarmie, with Ted’s son, Bruce as the Cinematographer and Ted was narrator of the 50 minute video. I feel this video should still be very beneficial to those new Weimaraner owners, even though this was filmed over 30 years ago.

In 1983 Jazz’s daughter,  Ch Valmar’s Serenade V Wustenwind, BROM, HOF was bred to Tom Wilson’s young dog,  Ch Smokey City’s Easy Does It. This breeding produced a puppy named Valmar Smokey City Ultra Easy, who I shipped to Tom as his stud fee puppy. Need I say more as to how he turned out ! Also, Easy’s mom, “Serenade” is the  #1 BROM producing dam of all time with two of her 9 Champion offspring being All-Breed Best in Show winners….. Polly & Easy.

In 1982, I had the distinction of  handling & winning two Show Futurities in the same year with littermates, Ch Valmar’s Pollyanna winning Best in Western Futurity and Ch Valmar’s Pepsi Challenge winning Best in Central Futurity. In the 80’s the final awards in futurities were presented as Best in Futurity and BOS in Futurity, not like now with the awards only going as far as Best Bitch and Dog in Futurity. This new rule change went into effect in 1993.

I am equally proud of the multiple Best in Show bitch, Ch Valmar’s Pollyanna, BROM, HOF.  What fun we had together!  Pollyanna was that “once in a lifetime Show dog” that everyone dreams about and rarely comes up with. She had beautiful type, effortless eye-catching movement with great style and showmanship. Her attitude was always “Hey, look at me”! Polly had an outstanding show career, being on the Top Ten Show list for five years (#2 in 1984, #1 Weimaraner and #4 Sporting Dog in 1985, #2 in 1986). Her record also includes: 201 Best of Breeds, 107 group placements (36 Group Firsts), Best in 1982 Western Futurity, Best in 1983 Western Maturity and three All-Breed Best In Shows! Her record as the Top winning Weimaraner of All-Time, owner-breeder handled, still stands to this day, when she defeated over 16,000 dogs in a single year of competition in 1985. I have to also thank Elaine Meader, who co-owned Polly with me for a short period of time at  the end of 1984, when she consistently started winning groups with handler Stan Flowers.  I really have to believe this is what launched Polly and myself on to our great winning show record that following year! The final jewel in her crown of outstanding achievements, was when Polly came out of retirement at 6 1/2 years old to win the coveted 1987 National Specialty in Downington, Pennsylvania, which at that time was the largest National ever held. In between her busy schedule of being a Show dog, she also proved herself as a successful producer by passing on her wonderful qualities to her offspring. She produced 10 Champion offspring, which included Dual Champion Valmar’s Valiant Knight, CD, NSD, NRD, VX, BROM.

Dual Ch Valmar’s Valiant Knight, CD, NSD, NRD,VX,BROM “Val“ (Jazz x Polly) has the rare distinction of being a Dual Champion that was ranked nationally on both the Top Ten Show & Field lists.  He was the #4 Show Dog in the U.S. (All-Breed points) in 1986 & #7 All Age/Gun dog in 1988. His show record includes 37 Best of Breeds, 11 group placements, Best dog in Western Futurity 1985 and Best Dog in Western Maturity in 1986  (following in his dam’s footsteps winning Best in Futurity and Maturity). After accomplishing this “Val” was given the opportunity to prove himself in the Field with his co-owner Gorden Hansen. “Val” again was very competitive, winning 22 field placements (6 firsts) in just two years of competition and finishing with 2 majors!  Thank You Gorden for this achievement! As a  producer, he has 26  show Champion offspring. “Val” also spent a short time with Jeanne Shelby, who trained him to his CD title. Thank you Jeanne! Everyone loved Val…… As you can see many people had a part in his career.

Another well known Jazz son was Ch Valmar’s Xtra Copy, BROM,   He was #7 Show Dog in U.S. 1987, and the sire of 46 Show Champions. Debbie Hopkins (Top Hat Weimaraners) used the last of Copy’s frozen semen (in 2004) on her Ch Top Hat’s Beach Bunny. She produced a beautiful litter of 7 puppies of which five finished their Championships. This litter was produced 12 years after his passing. What a wonderful swan song for Copy. Thank you Debbie!

Ch Valmar’s Yours Truly, BROM, was another Valmar Top Winner & Producer. She was ranked as the #1 Show Dog in 1988. True lived with Lee Meadows, but we co-owned her together. True’s outstanding show record includes: 88 Best of Breeds and 48 Gr. Placements, 13 Group I’s & 5 Specialty Bests in Show.

1989 was a very good year as Ch Valmar Smokey City Ultra Easy, JH,NSD,BROM, HOF won his All-Breed Best in Show. His career record included over 210 Best of Breeds, 75 Gr. placements, and 10 Specialty Best in Shows. I want to personally thank Tom for giving “Easy” the opportunity to attain the high honors that he achieved…….. the coveted All-Breed Best In Show and Top Producing sire in our Breed with 148 Champions! He was one very Special Dog indeed! Also, I had the privilege of handling and winning Best in Veteran Sweepstakes with Easy at the 1994 National in St Louis. I think we both had a lot fun that day!

It was also in 1989 that “Val”earned this Dual Championship title and Ch Valmar’s Evening Sonata, BROM “Sony” won a Best in Futurity. In Limited specialing, she continued winning 22 Best of Breeds and several group placements that year.. “Sony” was the producer of 11 Champion offspring.

Other outstanding individuals include:

Ch Valmar’s Eclipse Von Bergen, NRD,BROM – Best in Futurity 1971, sire of 8 Champions

Ch Valmar’s Graf Schwenden, CD,NRD,V – Specialty Winner, sire of 5 Champions

Ch Valmar’s Pepsi Challenge (Best in Central Futurity 1982, BOS National Specialty 1983, dam of 4 Champions

Ch Valmar’s Quarter Note, BROM – dam of 9 Champions

Ch Valmar’s Serendipity, BROM – dam of 11 Champions

Ch Valmar’s Ez Jazz Time, NSD,NA,BROM – Specialty, Futurity & Maturity Winner, sire of 14 Champions

Ch Valmar’s Starling, BROM – dam of 10 Champions

In 1994 we congratulated our newest All-Breed Best in Show winner and 1995 National Specialty winner, Ch Valmar’s Apache Rebel, BROM (Top Ten Show list 93-95, sire of 32 Champions to date). I co-owned Rebel with Rachel Aguilar and appreciate all the effort she made in having him shown as a Special. Also in 1995, Ch Valmar’s Sage V Wustenwind, NSD,NRD,V,BROM  became a Futurity and Sporting Group Winner, who I also co-owned with Lee Meadows.

In 1997 Ch Valmar’s Night N Gale, BROM  (Specialty & Maturity Winner, dam of 11 Champions) became a BROM Top Producer & Dam of the ’98 Best dog in Western Futurity.

Watch for future success of Valmar dogs from the newest kids on the block  ……..

Ch Valmar’s Unanimous Decision, BROM “Dakota” – ’98 Best Dog in Futurity winner, ’99 Maturity Dog winner, Top Ten Show list 1999 & 2000. Greg McLogan bought Dakota from me in 1997 as a novice owner and in the following few years the two have attained greatness. Greg is now an outstanding Weimaraner breeder/handler and Dakota a Top Producer of 29 champions to date. Way to go Greg and Dakota!

Ch Valmar’s Urban Cowboy, BROM – was a Best in Specialty Winner and  sire of 13 Champions offspring.

Ch Valmar’s Hot Streak, CDX – ’03 Best Dog in Futurity winner,’04 Maturity winner, multiple Best of Breeds & group placements!

Ch Valmar Bzyfeet Good Luck Charm – Sporting group winner at 16 months of age & the dam of Ch Bzyfeet American Idol (#1 Show Dog “male” in the U.S. 2006 & 2007).

Unfortunately, I am no longer handling dogs myself since hip replacement surgery in 2003 and the bad news is I will probably need the other hip replaced in the near future. This has put a crimp in my style of showing dogs and I sometimes find it difficult to just be a spectator. I really miss being in the ring to handle my own dogs.

In the 43 years that I have been involved in showing and breeding Weimaraners, I have tried to uphold the tradition of consistent quality and soundness in my dogs. I am very proud of the 50 pewter dogs that I have won over the years as a breeder. Hopefully, I still plan to have a litter or two in the next couple years. It is so hard to give up the hobby you love. I currently have three Weimaraners (two Champions & one needing a major to finish) and a Ch Smooth Fox Terrier at home with me. The terrier actually thinks he is a gray dog too. He lends a lot of entertainment to the household and is a great companion to the Weimaraners!

In the past few years, I have seen the Weimaraner become a much stronger contender, than ever before, in the Sporting Group and Best in Show competition. It is great to see that the judges are giving our breed the respect and recognition that they deserve. Way to go gray ones!

In closing I would like to thank all my wonderful friends, owners, co-owners and fellow breeders for their part in contributing to my success and fun times in the Wonderful World of Weimaraners.

I am grateful to each and everyone of you! Thank you….. jv

2017 SWC Retrieving Ratings

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We held a WCA Retrieving Ratings on Sunday, Sept 17th at Prado. The day was overcast and cool, great day for dog training! I would like to extend huge thanks to all who helped make this a very successful event. Thank you to our judges, Nancy Rapoport and Anne Taguchi, who presided over the 2 entries in the RD and 9 entries in the NRD. Thanks to Carlos DeTevis for procuring birds, gunning in the RD and some of the NRD, and helping get the testing grounds set. Thanks to Mike Fields who manned bird stations in both stakes. Thanks to Rachel  Aguilar and Dona Tanaka, WCA rep and Event Chair respectively, without whom we could not have put on the test. And thank you Dona for all the great pictures! And most of all, Thank you to all who entered and supported our Club event, and brought their pot luck offerings for the wonderful lunch we enjoyed after we were finished. There were a few who did not qualify, but were very interested in their birds. With just a little more training they will easily earn their ratings in future events.

Louise Brady, event secretary

Qualifiers at this event were as follows:

NRD

  1. Ch Regen’s It’s My Party CGC, NW2 (Maile) owned and handled by Teri Rice
  2. Top Hat’s Crazy For M&Ms (M) owned and handled by Stephanie Schuster
  3. Ch Sanbar’s Truth Be Told JH, OA, OAJ, SDX, VX (Squeak) owned and handled by Louise Brady
  4. Ch Barrett and Touchstone’s Star Circus Monkey JH (Stark) owned by Jana DeTevis and handled by Carlos DeTevis
  5. GCh Barrett N’ Star’s Under The Big Top JH, NSD (Zanie) owned and handled by Louise Brady

2017 SWC Show Specialty

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OUR SWC SPECIALTIES IN VENTURA – THANK YOU!!!

As in the previous years, we held back to back Specalties and a Sweepstakes again this year, on Thurday June 29, 2017 at Seaside Park in Ventura, CA. Our Specialties were in conjunction with 3 All-Breed shows. This gave us 5 shows in 4 days with major points at 4 of the 5 shows! The weather was in the 70’s with a cool ocean breeze, as the show grounds are located right on the coastline of the Pacific Coast. Our breed judge for the morning Specialty was Mr. Kenneth Berg from Morage, CA and the afternoon Specialty judge was Nancy Talbott from Quartz Hill, CA.  Our Sweepstakes judge was Mrs Linda Mattson from Newbury Park, CA.

  A delicious PotLuck Lunch was enjoyed between the 2 Specialties by the exhibitors and friends who donated their favorite dish. Many thanks to the Club members who donated their time and effort to help make this a successful event. Rachel Aguilar (Specialty Show Chairman), Jo-Ann Rosenberg (Hospitality Chairperson), Jo-Ann Rosenberg, Dona Tanaka & Maureen Duffy (Hospitality), Rachel Aguilar & Jo-Ann Rosenberg (Trophies, also solicited for Donors), Walt Freshour, Dona Tanaka, Gil Aguilar, Rachel Aguilar, Jo-Ann Rosenberg & Vickie Margolis (Grounds set up), Rachel Aguilar & Linda Millstone (trophy ring set up), Jo-Ann Rosenberg (Supported entry trophies), John & Maureen Duffy (50/50 raffle), Linda Millstone (Chief Ring steward), Walt Freshour & Bob Margolis (Hospitality Motor Homes) and show photos taken by photograper Kitten Rodwell. Also, Special thanks to Rachel Aguilar, our Specialty Show Chairman, for organizing this successful event. A Big Congratulations to all the Winners!!

Message to our Membership:

As in every club, the membership is the backbone and heart of the club. While the parent club helps establish the premise for the club and the Officers and Board guide the local club, the members do the work. Without the support of the members nothing would get done. It takes members to be chairpersons of events and other members to be part of the event committee and work at the event. It takes members to attend meetings so a quorum is met and business can be conducted. At meetings members can bring up their ideas and interests to be discussed and voted on. This is how a member can influence the direction of the club. So if there is a particular function of the club you feel strongly about you can bring it up for discussion.

Every member is a representative of the club especially at dog events, SWC’s or not, and with other groups of dog fanciers. All members should be good-will ambassadors to other Weim owners and encourage them to attend events and club meetings. Club members should solicit these Weim owners to be club members. It is only through this effort can the club continue to exist, because without new members there will be no one left to carry on the club into the future.

The WCA and the local clubs like the SWC, are important and necessary to our breed. Don’t take the SWC for granted. Every member needs to get involved for the club to thrive. Remember without the SWC there would be no Weim specialty show, and no opportunity for the National events like the Futurity/Maturity to be hosted in our area. There would be no Weim only hunt test or WCA ratings test. There would be no Weim only stakes at a local field trial.                           

Please – Support the Southland Weimaraner Club every chance you get!

 

 

 

 

Canine Influenza H3N2 Virus Updates

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On April 9, 2015, I reported that five dogs had passed away from canine influenza out of 1,000 known cases in the Chicagoland area. Chicago is densely populated with dogs and provides a rich resource of social opportunities for them, so these factors would contribute to the flu spreading so quickly. Most of us assumed the influenza strain was the H3N8, which is common in the United States. A few days later, Cornell University stated it was a different flu strain, H3N2, that was first found in Asia. Rumors have circulated that the virus was introduced to the U.S. through dogs rescued and imported from Asia, but there is still no evidence to confirm these rumors.

For the month preceding the announcement, panicked pet parents were having their dogs vaccinated with the H3N8 vaccine, which offers no cross-immunity to the H3N2 strain. I completely empathized with the panic. We have to remember the source fueling the anxiety: sensationalist journalism in an attempt to grab attention. Don’t get me wrong, media outlets are a necessary part of society because they distribute vital news and information.

But, put canine influenza in perspective compared to your office environment. You have 10 people who all have the same symptoms and are out for a few days. 30 people who have mild symptoms who can still make it to work. 20 people who never come down with the disease because of natural immunity. 10 people with stellar immune systems. 5 who were vaccinated. But, your colleague, Larry, develops pneumonia.

So, in instances like the Chicago outbreak of 2015, I implore you to refer to professionals like myself, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), or a collegiate research institution before vaccinating your companion animal for any flu strains.

Statistical Perspective

Exposure

In February 2016, Cornell University released a H3N2 testing summary compiled from twelve reputable laboratories across the nation.

  • Time period: March 8, 2015 – February 2, 2016.
  • Sample size: 13,900 United States dogs tested for H3N2.
  • 12,228 (88%) tested negative for H3N2.
  • 1,672 (12%) tested positive for H3N2.
  • A positive nasal swab PCR test could indicate the dog is in the midst of illness.
  • A positive serum test could indicate the dog has recovered from an H3N2 infection and will have a titer against the H3N2 virus.

This is not the entire dog population tested or exposed, but the sample size is significant. These statistics demonstrate that the virus may not be spreading as quickly as we had previously thought or to the degree the media has touted.

Fatality

The AVMA reports that the fatality rate is less than 10% (low) for any strain of canine influenza at this time. Others like myself estimate 2-3% as the 10% includes older data. Indeed, when I reported the five dogs that unfortunately passed away, they only represented 0.5% of the known cases of H3N2 infection in Chicago.

Developing Symptoms

The veterinary community categorizes the symptoms by either mild or severe. Most dogs exposed will only develop mild symptoms.

Mild Symptoms (Common):

  • Soft, moist cough that persists for 10 to 30 days
  • Lethargy
  • Reduced appetite
  • Fever
  • Sneezing and discharge from the eyes and/or nose

Severe Symptoms (Rare):

  • High fevers
  • Clinical signs of pneumonia, such as increased respiratory rates and effort
  • Pneumonia (Streptococcus) may develop in about 2% of cases due to a secondary bacterial infection

If a dog does pass away from influenza, he is probably malnourished, parasitized or otherwise debilitated. Also, if he is one of the few dogs that harbors Streptococcus organisms in his upper respiratory tract or lungs (uncommon), then the combination with canine influenza virus can be serious and even fatal.

Dealing with an Outbreak

An outbreak occurs because several dogs in one area have never been exposed to a virus and do not have natural immunity to it. We need to consider the severity of what has “broken out”. Is it a cat running out of the house or a tiger escaping the zoo?

When you hear about an influenza outbreak in your area, please:

  • Take a deep breath;
  • Start preventative measures such as avoiding dog parks, dog beaches, doggy daycares, grooming facilities, dog-friendly businesses, daycares and just saying “hello” to the neighbor dogs;
  • Provide your dog immune boosters like curcumin (found in turmeric);
  • Clean and disinfect clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease; and,
  • Use portable water bowls during walks and do not allow him to drink from communal water bowls.

Vaccine

A vaccine is available for H3N2. I am pleased that many veterinarians are not promoting this vaccine at their practices because it may take several weeks to be effective. They, too, are advocating the preventative measures listed above. The majority of dogs that are infected from exposure, will then have natural immunity and will not need to be vaccinated. Naturally generated immunity is preferred to vaccination for influenza.

In fact, if an outbreak is in your area and then you decide to give him the required two doses/three weeks apart (plus annual booster), viral loads may have decreased by the time the vaccine is effective and your dog may have already been exposed to the virus. Some of my colleagues may argue that the first vaccine may lessen the effects of possible flu symptoms, but again the majority of dogs develop only mild symptoms.

Jean Dodds, DVM

Hemopet / NutriScan

11561 Salinaz Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92843