Is Your Dog Protected Against Canine Influenza
Last year, many parts of the U.S. experienced outbreaks of the canine influenza virus (CIV). While these outbreaks may have been out-of-state – namely in California, Kentucky, and Ohio – there is always a risk that infected dogs from other states could travel to our area. Because this disease is not confined to a certain “season” or geographic area, it is important to make sure that your dog is protected all year long.
What are the symptoms of CIV?
Since CIV is a new disease for dogs, they are very susceptible to infection. That means if your pet is exposed to the virus, there’s a high chance they’ll get it. Symptoms start to appear in two to four days and include a soft, wet cough, sneezing, low-grade fever, nasal discharge and lethargy.
Most infected dogs will only come down with a mild case of CIV and recover without complications. However, senior dogs and those with heart and lung conditions can develop severe, life-threatening pneumonia.
We strongly recommend vaccinating dogs prior to any summer travel, visiting groomers, doggie daycare, dog parks, or dog shows. It’s especially important if your dog is a senior, has cardiac or pulmonary disease or is a breed with a shortened nose and flat face.