Atlanta Metro Dog Owners Advised To Vaccinate Their Dogs Against The Flu
- Lisa Vaught
- Nov 24, 2015
- 2 min read
Hello!
Veterinarians in Atlanta are glad that a new vaccine has become available to veterinarians in the metro Atlanta area. Since this summer, there has been a new strain of dog flu that is highly contagious in the metro Atlanta area. Till this week there hasn't been a vaccine against it. The vaccine has just been approved and will be available in a matter of days.
Before this week, some veterinarians tried giving a shot for H3N8, to try and slow the spread of the disease. It didn't help because it wasn't targeted for the particular flu that has been catching like wildfire through Atlanta. Now the company Merck Animal Health has come out with a H3N2 vaccine targeted to the flu that is actually causing dogs to become ill. The department of Agriculture has given the go ahead to proceed with the vaccine release. They feel the new vaccine will most assuredly save dog's lives.
Vets warn that the vaccine may not prevent their dog from getting the flu, but that it's worthwhile vaccinating for it, since it shortens the duration of the flu if their dog catches it and also makes the symptoms less severe. Sugar Hill Animal Hospital's Dr. Melissa Bourgeois is recommending that dogs in the area be vaccinated for both H3N8 and H3N2 since both viruses are circulating in the Atlanta area.
The vaccine should be available locally within the next two weeks. It's recommended that dogs in the area get vaccinated with the new vaccine. Local vets recommend folks vaccinate their dogs especially ones that will be boarded, and that may be quite a few during the holiday season.
Some of the symptoms include coughing and sneezing plus a fever. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/new-dog-flu-vaccine-be-released-georgia/npTXG/
Comments