Zoetis Launches Vanguard® CIV H3N2/H3N8 Vaccine for Canine Influenza Virus

Zoetis today announced the launch of Vanguard® CIV H3N2/H3N8, the latest vaccine in the company’s canine influenza virus (CIV) portfolio. The new bivalent vaccine helps protect dogs against two strains of the virus known to be circulating in the U.S., CIV H3N2 and CIV H3N8. CIV is a severe and highly contagious respiratory infection that has caused many serious disease outbreaks in 38 states across the country.1 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted Zoetis a license for this vaccine in June 2017.

“Zoetis is committed to helping protect dogs from all known strains of canine influenza virus, and our new Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 vaccine is the most recent example of our innovation in this area,” said Tara L. Bidgood, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, Executive Director, U.S. Companion Animal Division Veterinary Professional Services at Zoetis. “We are pleased to offer veterinarians this vaccine, which is backed by outstanding safety and efficacy data, so that they can help protect their canine patients from this potentially deadly virus.”

In a key efficacy study, dogs receiving the Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 vaccine were protected from disease after CIV H3N2 exposure and also appeared to have a reduced number of days that dogs were capable of spreading CIV H3N2 virus.2,3,4

The safety of the Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 vaccine was demonstrated in a field study involving both client-owned dogs and dogs from commercial breeding facilities, where no significant adverse events were observed after vaccination.5

“Dogs that attend daycare, visit the dog park or stay at boarding facilities are all at risk for contracting either strain of CIV,” said Stephan Carey, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Assistant Professor, Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Past President of The Veterinary Comparative Respiratory Society.* “There is no way to predict whether it will be CIV H3N2 or CIV H3N8 that infects your area, so it is better to help protect against both strains; this bivalent vaccine allows you do to that efficiently.”

About Canine Influenza Virus

There are two prevalent strains of canine influenza virus in the United States: CIV H3N8 and CIV H3N2. Dogs need vaccinations against both to help provide complete protection. CIV H3N8 was first identified in racing greyhounds in Florida in 2004. CIV H3N2 was first detected in the United States in March 2015 in Chicago. In response to the Chicago CIV H3N2 outbreak, Zoetis researchers immediately prioritized development of a vaccine and received the first conditional license from the USDA for a CIV H3N2 vaccine in November 2015. Vanguard CIV H3N2 received full licensure in 2016.

Most commonly, canine influenza virus is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected dogs. It can also be spread when dogs come into contact with contaminated objects (e.g., toys, clothing, communal water bowls, etc.) and remains viable for up to 48 hours.6 After a dog is infected, there is a pre-clinical phase during which the dog still appears healthy, but is capable of spreading the virus to other dogs and into the environment. The severity of the infection varies; in some cases, it can cause severe pneumonia and even death.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) cautions that dogs that are frequently in contact with other dogs are at especially high risk of infection.7 Pet owners should isolate their dogs from any dog that is coughing or shows signs of respiratory illness, and should consult a veterinarian. As with other infectious diseases, the AVMA also advises pet owners to take extra precautions with puppies, elderly or pregnant dogs, and dogs that are immunocompromised. In addition, the AVMA suggests that pet owners speak with their veterinarian regarding both their dog’s risk for canine influenza and the appropriateness of vaccination.7

As more dogs across the United States are vaccinated, underlying immunity to CIV should increase in the canine population. This can help to decrease the capability of both strains of the virus to spread through the population and thereby help prevent outbreaks.

To learn more about Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8, visit www.vanguardciv.com.

About Zoetis

Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products, genetic tests, biodevices and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2016, the company generated annual revenue of $4.9 billion with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

References:

1 Data on file, Study Report No. BLOR 40813. Data was not obtained from all national and regional veterinary laboratories. We cannot confirm the percentage of actual cases.

2 Dogs were considered to have disease as a result of CIV H3N2 infection if they had two or more clinical signs observed on two or more consecutive days.

3 Dogs were only evaluated for shedding for six days after challenge.

4 Data on file, Study Report No. B862R-US-16-226, Zoetis Inc.

5 Data on file, Study Report No. B961R-US-16-225, Zoetis Inc.

6 Canine influenza. American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reference/Pages/Canine-Influenza-Backgrounder.aspx. Accessed May 22, 2017.

7 Canine influenza FAQ: questions, answers, and interim guidelines. American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Control-of-Canine-Influenza-in-Dogs.aspx?PF=1. Accessed May 22, 2017.

* Dr. Stephan Carey is a consultant to Zoetis.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171212005416/en/

ZoetisColleen White, 973-822-7203colleen.white@zoetis.comorArcher MalmoLindsey Goodman, 706-201-6721lgoodman@archermalmo.com

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