Northwest Arkansas vets say around the nation, a different strain of flu is hitting, not humans, but dogs, and they want people to how to keep pets safe from this highly contagious strain.
It's called the Canine flu, and it's a growing concern among veterinarians in the area. In fact, they're strongly encouraging all dog owners to get their pets vaccinated with the Canine influenza vaccine.
Wedington Animal Hospital vet Viki Cyphers says they may have already had an outbreak of the H3N8, or Canine flu. "We're just trying to get ready for it, since none of the dogs have any immunity to it. We thought we had some cases and we shut down our kennels for a week. It went around fast and they were sick: just bad green snotty noses and pneumonia, chest, lung conjestion. They had to be on IV fluids and antibiotics because they were really sick: running 105 temperatures."
Cyphers says the Canine flu started in 2005 in a Florida racing kennel. "And all the dogs were devastated, sick. They had many deaths. In this past year it's been showing up more and more." She says it's dangerous because dogs are contagious four days before symptoms show up, with this airborne flu. "Airborne means you can pass by someone in the grocery store that has a sick dog at home and you can take the virus home to your dog. Holiday boarding, we have capacity for 100 dogs, and that would be just devastating."
So for dog owners like Retha Gregory, vaccinations are essential. "They are expensive, but well worth it. You really can't explain how much money and everything that you put into a dog or your pets. It's kind of like having a BMW: it's just cause you love them and wouldn't have anything else."
If you're up in the air about whether or not to vaccinate your dog against the Canine flu, vets say from now on, it will be a requirement to have the flu shot already, if you choose to board your animal any time in the near future. Vets say right now the Canine flu cannot spread from dogs to humans.
Owners can take dogs to a mass dog vaccination clinic this Saturday, November 14th, at Dog Party USA, in Tontitown. The clinic will run from noon to 2 p.m.
Veternarian Deedee Moore from Faithful Friends is planned to give the shots, which cost $20.00 each. The H3N8 vaccine requires a second round, which will take place at Dog Party USA, on December 5th. The Wedington Animal Clinic is offering canine flu shots for $17.50 each.
It's called the Canine flu, and it's a growing concern among veterinarians in the area. In fact, they're strongly encouraging all dog owners to get their pets vaccinated with the Canine influenza vaccine.
Wedington Animal Hospital vet Viki Cyphers says they may have already had an outbreak of the H3N8, or Canine flu. "We're just trying to get ready for it, since none of the dogs have any immunity to it. We thought we had some cases and we shut down our kennels for a week. It went around fast and they were sick: just bad green snotty noses and pneumonia, chest, lung conjestion. They had to be on IV fluids and antibiotics because they were really sick: running 105 temperatures."
Cyphers says the Canine flu started in 2005 in a Florida racing kennel. "And all the dogs were devastated, sick. They had many deaths. In this past year it's been showing up more and more." She says it's dangerous because dogs are contagious four days before symptoms show up, with this airborne flu. "Airborne means you can pass by someone in the grocery store that has a sick dog at home and you can take the virus home to your dog. Holiday boarding, we have capacity for 100 dogs, and that would be just devastating."
So for dog owners like Retha Gregory, vaccinations are essential. "They are expensive, but well worth it. You really can't explain how much money and everything that you put into a dog or your pets. It's kind of like having a BMW: it's just cause you love them and wouldn't have anything else."
If you're up in the air about whether or not to vaccinate your dog against the Canine flu, vets say from now on, it will be a requirement to have the flu shot already, if you choose to board your animal any time in the near future. Vets say right now the Canine flu cannot spread from dogs to humans.
Owners can take dogs to a mass dog vaccination clinic this Saturday, November 14th, at Dog Party USA, in Tontitown. The clinic will run from noon to 2 p.m.
Veternarian Deedee Moore from Faithful Friends is planned to give the shots, which cost $20.00 each. The H3N8 vaccine requires a second round, which will take place at Dog Party USA, on December 5th. The Wedington Animal Clinic is offering canine flu shots for $17.50 each.
