Hello Everyone! We hope that you are having a wonderful summer so far. We would like to take a moment to pass along a few updates to you as we enter a busy travel season.

Some of you may have heard about the new strain of Canine Influenza (CIV) that has been cruising about the country. Here are some points that you need to know in order to help protect your dogs…

• There are 2 strains of CIV; H3N8 first seen in 2004, and H3N2 (new as of 2014/2015). Since H3N2 is a new strain, dogs have not been exposed and have no immunity to this virus.

• It is HIGHLY contagious! Out of 230 dogs that were exposed at a dog show here in Florida in early June almost 100% of dogs reported illness. Four dogs died. Dogs that required hospitalization to treat illness spent an average of 10 days in the hospital.
• Incubation is 2-78 days from the time of exposure to the first symptoms.
• The virus can live outside the body for 24-48 hours.
• Infected dogs can shed the virus for several days even before they show symptoms!

What is our stand on this? If your dog goes to dog parks, dog daycare, boarding, groomers, or around other dogs at any time, you need to get your dog vaccinated against Canine Influenza Virus with the bivalent (both strains) vaccine.

Most dogs that receive the vaccine will not get the virus, however, it does not completely eliminate the risk of contracting CIV. Some vaccinated dogs will still develop symptoms, but there is a much lower risk of potentially life-threatening complications.

Please call us at 904-223-4360 for more information and to schedule your appointment.