The Clay County humane society is planning a two-day vaccine clinic as dog flu spreads in Florida.
Clay Humane is offering a canine influenza vaccination clinic on June 9 and 10 to encourage families to protect their pets against a new strain of canine influenza.
"H3N2 canine influenza has arrived in Florida. It is a strain of flu our dogs have never encountered before. Almost all dogs exposed to this virus will be infected," Dr. Christian Broadhurst, senior staff veterinarian at Clay Humane, said.
Broadhurst said just like the human version of the flu, the virus is dangerous for very young, very old and ill dogs.
The vaccine clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The immunization comes as a two-part series, so dogs will need to return for a second round of vaccines two weeks after the clinic.
Dog owners can make an appointment for the second vaccination dogs receive the first vaccine.
A $50 fee covers both rounds of vaccinations against two strains of canine influenza virus, including H3N2.
Clay Humane requires all dogs participating in the vaccine clinic to have written proof of a current rabies vaccination, or Clay Humane will administer a rabies vaccination for an additional charge.
Dogs must be at least 7 weeks old to receive the flu vaccine.
Facts about the dog flu and ways to prevent it
H3N2 is highly contagious and spreads from infected dogs for up to 24 days.
Dogs who are around other canines are susceptible to the disease, especially in dog parks, boarding facilities, dog day cares and places where dogs congregate.
H3N2 spreads when a dog comes into contact with a infected dog through sniffing, licking, nuzzling or breathing air where an infected dog has been coughing, barking or sneezing. The virus is also spread through contact with contaminated objects, such as food bowls and clothing.
To prevent the spread of canine influenza, vaccinate your dog and wash your hands with soap and water or disinfect them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after contact with any dogs.
Avoid participating in activities with other dogs if your dog is coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease.
Contact your veterinarian if your dog has symptoms of the flu, including coughing, discharge from the nose or eyes, loss of appetite or lack of energy.
Visit www.clayhumane.org or call (904) 276-7729 for more information about dog flu.
SPREAD THE WORD | H3N2, found in Florida, is highly contagious and spreads from infected dogs for up to 24 days:
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, June 6, 2017
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