A notice to all Falls Road Veterinary Hospital Clients: As of January 1, 2010, ALL DOGS that will be at our facility for the purpose of boarding, grooming, bathing, and hospitalization which includes all drop off appointments, will be required to be vaccinated with the new proactive Canine Influenza Vaccine.

There now exists a definite threat of Canine Influenza in the DC Metropolitan area. The District of Columbia, parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania are now considered "hot spots" for this disease. Currently the Canine Influenza virus is an endemic in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

This is a new strain of infectious respiratory disease for which dogs have not developed any natural immunity. Therefore, EVERY dog that is exposed to this disease will develop Canine Influenza. About 20% will not show any clinical signs but will be shedding the virus to any dog they may come in contact with. 80% will develop clinical signs and up to 8% will die from this disease. This disease is easily transmitted. The virus can travel up to 20 feet from an infected dog, can live up to 48 hours on hard surfaces (such as door knobs) and can live up to 24 hours on the skin and clothing of any person handling an infected dog. Remember - Dogs can show NO clinical signs of the virus and still be shedding the disease.

Canine Influenza is a lower respiratory disease so the dogs that succumb to the disease can develop and die of pneumonia. This strain of pneumonia is NOT responsive to any antibiotics currently in use for respiratory disease. An infected dog can remain ill for several weeks to months. Only supportive care and time can help the dog recover.

There is a new proactive VACCINE to help prevent your dog from this disease. It has been safely used in all breeds of dogs from 6 weeks of age to 10 years of age without any ill effects. Initially the vaccination must be boostered within 2-4 weeks of the first dose. Then the vaccine will need to be boostered yearly along with all other vaccinations.

We at Falls Road Veterinary Hospital feel that the threat of this disease is very real. We strongly encourage our clients to protect their pets from this potentially deadly disease by coming in immediately to begin the vaccination protocol against the Canine Influenza.