Every year you hear about it. Get your flu vaccine before flu season arrives. Make sure you’re vaccinated. You don’t want to get the flu.
But what about your dog?
Did you know that dogs can get the flu, known as canine influenza? While the mortality rate is fortunately low, dogs have no natural immunity to dog flu, close to 100% of dogs that are exposed to dog flu will catch it.
Think about that. Do you take your dog to obedience classes? Do you take your dog to the doggie park to run free for a while? Do you take your dog for walks where you pass other dogs? Do you bring your dogs to family functions (like 4th of July parties) where other members of your family bring their dogs? Do your dog’s stay in your fenced in back yard, right next to your neighbor’s dog? Do you take your dog to the Vet where there are other dogs?
Do you do anything where your dog comes in to contact with other dogs?
Chances are pretty good your dog will get sick. You know how I know? We had an outbreak where I live and one of my sister’s dogs got the dog flu. You know what I did? I got my dogs vaccinated the very next day. That was two years ago. And every year when my puppies go in for their checkup, they get a flu shot. Just like everyone else in my family.
Merck Animal Health has launched a multi-city campaign to raise awareness about dog flu. Coming to these dog parks soon:
July 23: Lake Shore East Park at 450 E. Benton Place, Chicago, IL 60601
August 13: Freedom Barkway at 523 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
September 24: Frazier Park at 1201 W. 4th St. Ext, Charlotte, NC 28202
And if they aren’t coming to your city, you can help raise awareness by tweeting a picture of your dog using #IfThisDogCouldTalk and tagging @MerckAH.
By tweeting a photo, you are allowing Intervet Inc., d/b/a Merck Animal Health (“Merck Animal Health”) to use it at its sole discretion, including for marketing materials developed by Merck Animal Health. Once published, it will be available for viewing by any other person for as long as the published materials are in circulation.
To learn more visit www.doginfluenza.com
Speak to your vet now to see if you should get your dog vaccinated. Because by the time it spreads to your area, it might already be too late.
Disclaimer: Today’s post is a part of the Insider’s Program on Bloggy Moms. All opinions are my own.
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