Canine influenza is a respiratory disease that can cause coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, loss of energy, and/or loss of appetite. The signs of infection are similar to those of other respiratory diseases in dogs, but the coughing caused by canine influenza can last for several weeks. With proper care, most dogs generally recover. However, canine influenza can lead to more severe or even life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia, and has been fatal in up to 8% of cases.

Because canine influenza is caused by a relatively new virus, dogs have no natural immunity to it. And since it’s highly contagious, visiting places where dogs congregate, such as kennels, doggie daycares, dog parks, or groomers, puts dogs at higher risk for catching this new virus. Making things more difficult is the fact that dogs can spread the virus before the coughing and other signs of sickness appear.

The best way to protect your dog from canine influenza is through vaccination. Fortunately, the USDA has issued the first conditional license for a vaccine that aids in the control of disease caused by canine influenza. A conditional license is issued to meet a special circumstance such as the emergence of a new virus for which there is no existing vaccine.

Like the human flu vaccine, the new canine influenza vaccine doesn’t completely prevent infection, but it can dramatically reduce the severity of the disease. The vaccine also significantly reduces the amount of virus that dogs shed, minimizing spread to other dogs—so it’s the ideal way to protect our local canine community as well.

We strongly recommend vaccinating dogs against canine influenza and we have the vaccine available at our clinic located at 9400 NW 58^th Street. Please call them at 305-598-1234 to discuss any questions you might have or to set up an appointment. To give your dog the most complete protection, the initial vaccination requires two doses of vaccine given 2 to 4 weeks apart, followed by a single booster dose given annually.

The doctors at the Doral Centre Animal Clinic are currently looking into whether this vaccine should be mandatory for boarding.  We will keep you posted.

PS. If you’d like to read more about canine influenza, www.doginfluenza.com offers a lot of good information

Commands that will be taught are the following:

1. Heels command, control leash walking.
2. Sit command.
3. Sit and Stay command.
4. Down command.
5. Down Stay command.
6. Come on leash 6″feet.
7. Place command.
8. Break command.

This is a 7 week course. One lesson per week.

Classes will be held Wednesdays at 6:00 pm at our new clinic facility:
9400 NW 58th Street Doral, Florida 33178.

Cost: $275.00

Register by July 12th, 2010.

Classes begin July 14th, at 6:00 pm.

Classes will be directed by Dennis Urrutia.

For more information, please email us at dogdocmiami@aol.com

Call us at 305-598-1234.

Doral Centre Animal Clinic Staff