Just wanted to post this warning - Canine Influenza is running around the show circuits quite possibly everywhere - but certainly in the MidWest. With the immense amount of travel the average show dog and handler does- and the distances many are having to travel to find those elusive majors- I thought it best that we are all reminded to be watchful of our dogs.

Canine Influenza is highly contagious- apparently this illness is a fairly new development (2003) - so not all dogs have a natural immunity to it. 100% of the dogs are susceptible, about 80% of infected dogs will show signs of the infection. Dogs that don't show signs of the disease can certainly still spread the virus to others. There are several symptoms - soft, moist, "productive" cough, or dry cough (similar to kennel cough), low-grade fever, nasal discharge, lack of energy, loss of appetite. The cough can last up to a month (nice...). According to my vet- the dog does not have to have all of these symptoms -some dogs - the first sign is the nasal discharge.

I have done some research online and found some links - apparently there is a vaccine distributed by Intervert - though I am not partial to such a thing- some are.
www.doginfluenza.com
www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/canine_bgnd.asp this site was particularly informative

Apparently there are three known ways to pass this - direct contact - coughing or sneezing - contaminated hands, clothing, or other surfaces

Just thought you should be forewarned- or rewarned... as the case may be..

V/R
Amber Gates
FarMore Boxers
farmoreboxers@yahoo.com
Leavenworth, Kansas
www.farmoreboxers.com
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