Canine Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory condition – It spreads primarily through direct contact with fresh saliva or oro-nasal secretions of infected dogs.  Infected dogs can be contagious before clinical signs of the condition develop.

The most common clinical symptoms of this condition may range from:

•      Fever
•      Listlessness
•      Coughing (moist)
•      Sneezing
•      Nasal and ocular discharge (runny nose and eyes)
•      Life-threatening pneumonia (Bacterial infection)

The post-exposure incubation period of Canine Influenza can be days to weeks.

Vaccination, testing, and treatment are available.

If potential exposure is a concern, our recommendation is to limit or prevent exposure.  The patient should not visit daycare, boarding facilities, or dog parks.

Dogs should be walked on a leash for bathroom duties only, and be closely monitored for clinical symptoms, and have their body temperature checked morning and night for 7-10 days. (normal temperature 101.0- 102.8)  If at any point during this time a fever develops; the patient should be tested for the Canine Influenza Virus. 

If the patient does not develop a fever or clinical symptoms, then vaccinations are recommended

The vaccine recommendation is 2 vaccines 4 weeks apart and a yearly booster thereafter starting 7 weeks of age. 

If your dog has had an examination by one of the VMC doctors within the last 12 months, you can schedule your appointment with a technician to start the two vaccination series. 

Dogs that have not been seen within the last 12 months by one of the VMC doctors will need to schedule a doctor’s appointment.