With an unconfirmed case of the dog flu in Williamsburg, one Virginia Beach veterinarian is starting to make the dog flu vaccine mandatory.
If you want your dog to go to doggie day care at the Owl Creek Vet Complex, your dog must have the dog flu shot. If you're skeptical, don't worry. NewsChannel 3 spoke to local dog owner Donna Wilhoit about the change. Donna Wilhoit was too, at first.
"At first I was like, how much more is that but he's worth it because dogs can get it too."
Dr. Ann Ayre, who owns this clinic, says dog flu has been around for the last four years but she is the first vet to start requiring any dog who comes in here to get the vaccine. The reason is the Dog flu is contagious. Dogs are very active and could spread the virus and although dogs can beat the flu, they can still be left with serious health problems.
"Even if they have a very mild form they can get lung damage that can last a lifetime."
The reason they vaccinate the dogs is because dogs spread germs even easier than humans. Due to the proximity of these dogs, if one of them got the flu, they all would have it.
"It will spread it to 80% of the dogs that are exposed to it."
Right now health experts say the dog flu isn't in Hampton Roads but it is spreading.
Medical experts tracking the virus say there are outbreaks in South Florida, Denver and Colorado Springs as well as Philadelphia, New York and Northern New Jersey. The dogs at Owl Creek often travel out of state to compete in dog shows so Dr. Ayre isn't taking any chances neither is Donna Whilhoit.
"I'm getting a flu shot this year so he's getting a flu shot. He's part of the family so he's worth it."
If you want your dog to go to doggie day care at the Owl Creek Vet Complex, your dog must have the dog flu shot. If you're skeptical, don't worry. NewsChannel 3 spoke to local dog owner Donna Wilhoit about the change. Donna Wilhoit was too, at first.
"At first I was like, how much more is that but he's worth it because dogs can get it too."
Dr. Ann Ayre, who owns this clinic, says dog flu has been around for the last four years but she is the first vet to start requiring any dog who comes in here to get the vaccine. The reason is the Dog flu is contagious. Dogs are very active and could spread the virus and although dogs can beat the flu, they can still be left with serious health problems.
"Even if they have a very mild form they can get lung damage that can last a lifetime."
The reason they vaccinate the dogs is because dogs spread germs even easier than humans. Due to the proximity of these dogs, if one of them got the flu, they all would have it.
"It will spread it to 80% of the dogs that are exposed to it."
Right now health experts say the dog flu isn't in Hampton Roads but it is spreading.
Medical experts tracking the virus say there are outbreaks in South Florida, Denver and Colorado Springs as well as Philadelphia, New York and Northern New Jersey. The dogs at Owl Creek often travel out of state to compete in dog shows so Dr. Ayre isn't taking any chances neither is Donna Whilhoit.
"I'm getting a flu shot this year so he's getting a flu shot. He's part of the family so he's worth it."
