Animal Health Care Center

11055 County Line Road
Madison, AL 35758
       (256) 461-8440

"Your pet's health is our primary concern."

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Canine Influenza Virus

Canine Influenza Virus

Canine influenza Virus (CIV)is a highly contagious respiratory infection of dogs caused by influenza A subtype H3N8 virus.  This is not the same as the H1N1 virus (commonly known as “swine flu”), and it cannot infect humans or other species that we know of at this time.

CIV is spread through inhalation of virus molecules generated by coughing and sneezing from the infected dog.  These molecules may be inhaled through the air or even through contact with clothes or surfaces that contain the molecule, which means that even if your dog did not come into direct contact with an infected animal, if you were around said animal you could carry the virus and infect your pet.

Symptoms generally do not show up until 7-10 days after the infected animal first becomes contagious.  Symptoms include persistent coughing, sneezing, and nasal and eye discharge, but symptoms could become more severe if left untreated.  A small number of cases have become so severe that the infection turns into pneumonia, and in a small percentage of dogs death has occurred.

We recommend that all dogs receive this new vaccination.  The vaccination itself does not guarantee immunity from CIV.  Much like the human flu shot, it works to lessen the severity and length of the disease if your dog does become infected, and in a few cases it can prevent your dog from getting the virus altogether.  If you are boarding your dog, taking him/her to be groomed, or taking him/her out anywhere they could meet with other animals or be where other animals have been, we strongly urge that you vaccinate them against this virus.

We are trying to take precautionary measures to protect our canine patients from a potentially hazardous disease, but there have not been any serious outbreaks in our area as of yet.

The vaccination starts with an initial injection, and one follow-up booster needs to be administered two weeks after the first shot.  From then on, it is a yearly vaccination.

Please call our office at 461-8440 to schedule an appointment to get your dog protected, or if you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to ask.