What you need to know to keep your dog healthy in 2024

 

We received this information from one of our veterinary partners;

You may have heard recent news about a contagious respiratory disease affecting dogs across the United States.

As your partner in protecting your pet’s health, we wanted to share some tips to help keep your furry friend safe from this illness.

First, don’t panic

As alarming as the news sounds, its important to stay calm. Most dogs affected have recovered with veterinary care, and no people or other species have been diagnosed so far.

Increased rates of respiratory disease are common during the colder months of the year, and we’re still learning whether this is a new illness or just heightened awareness of an existing illness due to media coverage.

Here’s what we know;

Signs of illness include a persistent cough, sneezing, runny nose or eyes, fever, tiredness, decreased appetite and—in rare cases—difficulty breathing.

Dogs that interact with other dogs—including at groomers, dog parks or doggie day care—seem to be most affected.

There’s still time to minimize your dog’s risk

Ensure vaccinations are up to date: If your pup is going to be around other dogs, especially during the holidays, make sure they are vaccinated against canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza. If they’re not up to date on these vaccinations, contact your vet as soon as possible as vaccines often take 1-2 weeks to become effective.

Limit contact with other dogs: Since this is an infectious disease, avoid boarding, grooming or visits to the dog park if you can. If you cannot avoid it, ensure your dog has the above vaccinations to reduce their risk of illness.

What should I do if my dog gets sick?

Contact your local veterinarian and describe the symptoms. Often they do not want you to bring the dog into the waiting room to minimize spreading the illness.