Opinion
Two excellent articles are included as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex sources for this post. Adjusting the nomenclature to represent a variety of cofactors is logical scientifically and diagnostically. Pragmatically, though, many of the known CIRDC pathogens are NOT included in core vaccines, including two well recognized pathogens:
- Canine influenza virus (CIV) subtypes H3N3 and H3N2
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
CIRDC is complex and multifactorial, writes Jonathan Dear, DVM, MAS, DACVIM (SAIM). Host, pathogens and environment contribute to development of respiratory disease, which is primarily characterized by cough.
Referred to as kennel cough or infectious tracheobronchitis for decades, CIRDC is now preferred, says Dear. Using this term highlights the involvement of multiple infectious agents and that disease susceptibility depends on host immunity and environmental factors.
Okay, but WHO does the new acronym really help?
Veterinarians of course. Plus, it gives them a smoke-and-mirrors-explanation when a fully core-vaccinated puppy arrives at the clinic sounding like a large cat coughing up a hair ball. Duration of immunity questions aside, a millennially owned dog in 2021 will get nose to nose with multiple dogs in the neighborhood.
Acronyms are wonderful tools within a concurrent, aligned community. I submit veterinarians today rarely have time to properly educate clients on core and non-core pathogens while, in the next exam room a new millennial client is told her dog is now fully vaccinated with core vaccines.
Pathogens considered non-core become core when the pet’s lifestyle is considered.” – Kirk Augustine
- Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex, Source: Clinician’s Brief, November/December 2020. Link.
- Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex, Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, Summer 2021. Link.
INSIGHTS: What we call core, non-core or lifestyle, and how we identify the complex requires a more disciplined approach when selecting, purchasing, maintaining an inventory and dispensing vaccines. Our industry’s manufacturers have provided us with a plethora of pathogen choices in a variety of mix/match configurations. Vet Watch even tracks them by region <Link>.
Consider this. What will you grab from the clinic refrigerator when a pet owner requests rabies and all the other vaccines their new pet is supposed to get to stay healthy?