Pomeranian Dog Health
TREATMENT OF PARVOVIRUS & KENNEL COUGH USING TAMIFLU
One of the drugs making a lot of news in the veterinary therapeutic arena right
now is TamiFlu (oseltamivir phosphate). This drug, developed by Roche, is used to
treat human influenza. In April this year, Dr. Jack Broadhurst published his findings
on Veterinary Information Network (VIN), on his use of Tamiflu in the treatment
of Parvo in shelter puppies. Because of a limited budget, the shelter was unable
to use expensive IV fluids and hospitalization. It was one visit to a veterinarian,
SQ fluids and antibiotics and back to the shelter on oral electrolytes and antibiotics.
The mortality rate was 75%. When Dr. Broadhurst added Tamiflu orally at 1mg/lb,
twice a day; they went from 75% mortality to 100% survival (5). When the powder
is reconstituted, you have a suspension of 25ml at 12mg/cc. The amount that is given
to a small puppy, the most common patient, is 0.4 ml for a 10 lb puppy. This amount
is so small it usually does not trigger vomiting if given slowly (5).
No, there have been no collaborated controlled studies and the purist will question
whether the Tamiflu is making any difference. After five months the success rate
is in excess of 95%. Try it. You be the judge.
I have had some experience with Tamiflu with another disease, which in South Florida,
is causing a lot of very sick dogs. The disease is Kennel Cough. I had my bottle
of Tamiflu on the shelf in my pharmacy, waiting for the first Parvo case to try
it. Before I had the opportunity, I was presented with another situation. One of
the greyhound trainers, who I trust, came to me for Doxycline for use in an outbreak
of Kennel Cough. I seized the opportunity, as I felt I had nothing to loose but
the $35.00 for the cost of the bottle of Tamiflu. I asked her to take her 3 worse
dogs and give them Tamiflu at 1mg/kg, twice a day, half the dose used in Parvo.
I gave her the medication on Thursday. She started treatment on Friday. On Monday,
4 days after, she was back. The 3 dogs, by Sunday night, had stopped coughing and
were doing great. The other dogs showed little or no improvement. She wanted enough
for all the dogs. We ordered it and had it the next day. She treated 140 dogs and
the outbreak was shortened by 2-3 weeks. Her dogs were back to training, running
and winning, some in a matter of days, some within 10 days of the contraction of
the disease. Before Tamiflu, it would take 2-3 weeks. Two other greyhound kennels
in Alabama and Kansas have had success with the use of Tamiflu in curtailing the
outbreak of Kennel Cough. (A total of 282 dogs) Here again, the purist will say
that kennel cough manifests itself in various ways and with variation in severity
and convalescence. I know this fact only too well, but when you get a clinical response
with the use of a product, when the only variable is that product, then I will use
that product as long as it does no harm.
Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is a neuraminidase inhibitor. What is neuraminidase??
It is a protein found on the surface membrane of many viruses and bacteria. Its
presence enables the virus to break from the host cell to infect other cells and
is required for the virus to pass through mucous to reach non-infected cells. Neuraminidase
is also required for a pathogenic bacteria to colonize.
In the case of Bordetella bronchoseptica organisms, the major component of Kennel
Cough, it has neuraminidase receptors on their cell membranes that enable them to
colonize on respiratory epithelial cells. Neuraminidase inhibitors, like Tamiflu,
will prevent colonization in the trachea and bronchi.
There are 6 possible mechanisms that a neuraminidase inhibitors, such as Tamiflu,
may work.
- Inhibition of viral particles released from infected cells
- Reduce the ease with which the virus can move to infect adjacent cells
- Reduce bacteria colonization
- Reduce the migration of white blood cells, macrophages, from the blood to the infected
tissue to create cellular injury
- Reduce the number of T-Lymphocytes from migrating to the infected tissue creating
cellular injury
- Reduce the role of any bacterial toxins on muscles, blood vessels, lymph nodes,
liver, spleen, kidney and trachea (5).
The success of Tamiflu depends on the neuraminidase factor. This drug is like using
a laser as opposed to most antibiotics, which are like a shot gun. A word of caution.
Tamiflu does not work on the Distemper virus or other forms of gastroenteritis.
By:
FERNANDES, PETER T.
AARDVARK ANIMAL HOSPITAL
7005 WEST 4 TH AVENUE
HIALEAH , FLORIDA 33014
Dr. Fernandes is the past president of the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association
and the South Florida Veterinary Foundation, and is a member of the board of the
Humane Society of Greater Miami and Pet Rescue.
Other links on using Tamiflu to treat Parvovirus:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_oseltamivir.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamiflu
http://vettechs.blogspot.com/2005/04/oseltamivir-is-there-new-treatment-for.html
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1885
This information is not intended to be used as veterinary advice, nor to replace
consultation with a qualified veterinarian.
Veterinarians interested in treatment of Parvo with Tamiflu can also contact Dr.
Jack Broadhurst, a veterinarian coordinating research into Tamiflu in the treatment
of canine parvovirus, kennel cough, feline distemper, and the canine flu, for information
on dosages and his research. His email address is
DocCat@aol.com.
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