It's important to know that Canine Influenza (a.k.a. the "Dog Flu") is a real thing. However, it's different from the one that sweeps through your family, keeping you and the kiddos miserable in bed for days. THOUGH THERE ARE SOME SIMILARITIES IN SYMPTOMS, THERE IS NO CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE THAT DOGS CAN CATCH THE FLU FROM HUMANS, OR VICE VERSA.Canine influenza virus (CIV) is most commonly spread in "high-traffic" dog areas, like boarding kennels, doggie daycares, dog parks, and animal shelters. Some local facilities require dogs to be vaccinated for CIV, but even if it's not mandatory, it's still a good idea to strongly consider the extra protection of immunization.
4 Things You Should Know About Canine Influenza1. There is a vaccine available. There are two different strains of CIV: H3N8 (identified in 2004) and H3N2 (identified in 2015). Previously, only an H3N8 vaccine was available. Thankfully, we now offer a combination vaccine that provides protection against both H3N8 and H3N2. The canine influenza vaccine is given as an initial series of two injections 4 weeks apart; then an annual booster is given once a year to maintain protection. 2. Canine Influenza is highly contagious. The virus is spread through respiratory secretions (nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing), and can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Be sure to thoroughly wash bowls, toys, and your hands! Though you cannot get your dog's flu, you can pass the virus along to other dogs after handling an infected dog. 3. Canine Influenza is a year-round problem. Unlike the human flu, there is no "dog flu season" to worry about. Instead, the virus tends to spark up with isolated outbreaks throughout the year. Unfortunately, these outbreaks often occur in kennels and shelters. When dogs exposed to the virus leave the facility, they can spread the infection elsewhere. 4. If your dog is showing signs of an upper respiratory illness, schedule a visit with the vet. There is no cure for the canine influenza virus, but your dog may need supportive care to combat dehydration and secondary bacterial infections. Your dog's health is our top priority, and we're always here to answer your questions and help guide you to choosing what's for your best friend's health and lifestyle!
To schedule an appointment, call us at 724-473-4738 or request an appointment online here.  In celebration of National Canine Fitness Month, Meredith & her Pharaoh Hound Roseanna are sharing exercises that you can do right at home with your dog! These techniques help improve flexibility and core strength to prevent injury and improve overall health. Sedentary dog? This is a great start to increasing activity! Part 1: StretchingLearn how to warm up your dog's limbs with passive and active stretches to do in the comfort of your own home. Your dog will enjoy it, and you'll have fun, too! Need captions? Check out the video here on our Facebook page. PART 2: Land TreadmillINCLUDED...
Need captions? Check out the video here on our Facebook page. Ready for More?We have fitness, weight loss, and athletic conditioning programs available in our Rehabilitation Center!
Call to schedule an exam/consultation with a 1-hour rehab session, or request an appointment online here. Having a dog that loves to chew certainly helps to keep teeth healthy - usually. However, hard bones, antlers and cow hooves can cause dental injuries - so choose your dog's chew toys wisely and do not allow him to gnaw on rocks or other hard objects. What is a slab fracture?
How is a slab fracture treated?
The carnassial tooth has three roots: two large ones above each point, and a third, smaller one that is directed at an angle towards the midline. An incision is made on the gumline above the tooth to protect the gingiva and allow enough loose tissue to close the extraction site. To minimize trauma and prevent the small, inside root from breaking during removal, Dr. Brian uses a high-speed drill to separate the tooth into two halves before extracting each section individually.
How to prevent slab fracturesChewing is a healthy, natural habit for dogs - and we encourage you to provide your pup with a variety of safe chew toys! However, it is important to avoid hard chews: tough bones, deer antlers, cow hooves, and even tough Nylabones.
Always supervise your dogs when they are working on a chew toy, and regularly peek under those lips to look for signs of trouble. If you're familiar with what the teeth look like normally, it will be easier to spot changes that could be a cause for concern! Vaccine reactions are uncommon, but can be very serious, and in some cases, life-threatening. Know what's normal, and when to be concerned about your pet following a vaccination. Of course, if you're ever concerned about your pet's health, we encourage you to call us! Better to be safe than sorry. :) 
Is your pet microchipped? Great! This permanent ID has proven time and time again to be an effective backup for lost collars and tags. But it doesn't stop at just having a microchip implanted!
The #1 reason for microchipped pets NOT reuniting with their owners is that the contact information in the database is incomplete or incorrect. August 15 is "Check the Chip" Day, so take a few minutes to log in and make sure the info linked to your pet's microchip is up-to-date. Not sure where to go? Visit www.petmicrochiplookup.org and enter your pet's microchip number to find out where the chip is registered. If you're having trouble finding your pet's microchip number, call us - we can help! 
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120 Perry Hwy, Unit 1
Harmony, PA 16037 © Pets in Harmony Veterinary Hospital 2023
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