We now offer the Canine Influenza vaccination series here at Balboa Pet Hospital. The first case of Canine Influenza has recently been reported in Northern California. Canine Influenza is a highly infectious and relatively new virus that is known to cause respiratory disease in dogs.
The level of the disease can range from mild to severe. Severe clinical signs can be life-threatening. The virus was first detected in the Greyhound racing population in 2003 – 2005, spanning across 8 different states. It is now considered endemic within New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wyoming and New Jersey. The first case confirmed in Northern California was detected this summer at a veterinary clinic in Sacramento. There are currently 2 known strains (H3N2 and H3N8) in the canine population. Canine Influenza is not transmissible to humans but humans CAN carry and transmit these strains to their dogs.
There is a vaccine available which helps control the spread of the disease and protects dogs against severe clinical signs caused by the virus. This vaccine is safe to be administered to dogs 7 weeks and older and must be boosted upon the initial series 2-4 weeks after the initial injection. Thereafter an annual booster is required to maintain protection. We have recently started to carry this vaccine here at Balboa Pet Hospital, and would recommend any dog who is social with other dogs (goes to dog parks/the beach/doggy daycare and/or is boarded) to start this vaccination series.
If you would like to have your dog vaccinated against the Canine Influenza, please call 415-752-3300 or schedule an appointment online.
Warm regards,
Balboa Pet Hospital
Dr. Del Rosso, Dr. Ravn, and Dr. Chan
(415) 752-3300 Fax (415) 752-8782
3329 Balboa Street | San Francisco, CA | 94121
