Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Merck Animal Health as part of the Insider’s Program on Bloggy Moms. All opinions are my own.
Pets have always played a huge important role in my life. Without them life wouldn’t be as exciting as it is. I think pets always make life more enjoyable. It’s great to be home while you have pets around you that love you and always want to be in your company. If you have a dog, then you know that they get very excited every time you come home. They usually meet you at the door with their tails wagging. It’s a wonderful site to see how happy they are.
Sometimes pets come with more than just love. How many of you have had a dog that has been sick or had fleas? This is such a terrible thing that we don’t want our pets to get. I would never want any of my pets to have to get sick. They’re family to me and I love them like I love all of my family.
Did you know that there is such a thing as the dog flu? I honestly didn’t know this til recently. Last year there was a new strain of the dog flu and it was called the H3N2. This caused many outbreaks in 2015. Not only did this impact the dogs and their owners, but it also caused local business closures and inundating veterinary clinics. There are these new cases in 2016, so it’s very important to protect your pets. I wouldn’t want any of mine having to get this. This would be such a terrible thing to see any dog go through. This is why we all have to make sure to always protect our animals too. They’re just like us, they can get sick too.
CIV (dog flu) is highly contagious and it can spread quickly in urban areas, doggie daycares, boarding facilities, dog parks and sporting events. This is a problem all year, but it seems to be worse during the summer months. That’s because a lot of pets are outdoors more often, so they may come in contact with other dogs more often.
Merck Animal Health launched the multi-city If This Dog Could Talk tour in collaboration with Elias Weiss Freidman, creator of renowned photo-documentary series The Dogist, to raise awareness of the dog flu. The campaign will visit local dog parks in Chicago, Atlanta and Charlotte— three areas of the country impacted by canine influenza outbreaks in the last year— to provide a forum for pet owners to get critical information about canine influenza, outbreaks in their area, guidance on how to protect dogs from this highly infectious disease and the importance of prevention.
Close to 100 percent of dogs are naïve to the new H3N2 dog flu strain and have no natural immunity to it, meaning virtually all exposed dogs become infected. By the time CIV begins to spread in an area, it may be too late. Prevention is the best approach. Dog owners should speak to their veterinarian about whether the dog flu vaccine should be added to their dog’s vaccination protocol. To learn more, visit www.doginfluenza.com.
Attend the If This Dog Could Talk events where pet owners will also have the opportunity to meet and have their dogs photographed by The Dogist, while also learning important canine health information from local veterinarians. July 23: Lake Shore East Park at 450 E. Benton Place, Chicago, IL 60601 August 13: Freedom Barkway at 523 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 September 24: Frazier Park at 1201 W Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Those who are unable to attend an event are encouraged to support the campaign to raise awareness of canine influenza by posting photos of their dogs on Twitter using #IfThisDogCouldTalk and tagging @MerckAH. Select photos could also be featured in The Dogist e-book. For updates on local events visit www.doginfluenza.com/ifthisdogcouldtalk and look out for posts from The Dogist on Facebook and Twitter.
By Tweeting a photo, you are allowing Intervet Inc., d/b/a Merck Animal Health (“Merck Animal Health”) to use it as its sole discretion, including for marketing materials developed by Merck Animal Health. Once published, it will be available for viewing by any other person for as long as the published materials are in circulation.
With the dog flu being such a huge deal going around, it’s a great idea to talk to your vet about it. I honestly didn’t know about this til recently, so I’m glad it’s getting out there more and I hope that you can help spread the word as well. It would be great for everyone to get more educated about this, especially dog owners.
How many of you are dog owners? Did you all know about the dog flu?
Disclosure: Today’s post is a part of the Insider’s Program on Bloggy Moms. All opinions are my own.
My dog can barely be around humans, let alone other dogs, so he is literally never around other dogs. I had no idea dogs could get the flu.
I didn’t even know til recently either. It’s crazy.
I’ve heard of dog flu. It’s really bad. I’m glad there’s a vaccine for it.
I’m glad as well. It’s nice to have vaccines for pets as well.
We have both of our dogs vaccinated against the dog flu. It is absolutely vicious.
I’m glad you get them vaccinated!
Until today I never knew that there were flu shots for dogs! It is something that I need to check into a little more!
Right! I never knew til recently either.
I didn’t know that there were flu shots either. I have to ask my vet about this next time we are in. We have two dogs and a cat and they are definitely part of our family!!
It was certainly new to me as well. Pets are always family and they need to be protected just like us. 🙂
I do remember reading about the Dog Flu last year, but haven’t heard anything about it this year. It is so important to protect your pet, just like you would yourself.
It sure is! I think all pets need to be protected.
Both of my pups were vaccinated against the dog flu this year.
I’m very glad to hear that!
I have 2 dogs and love them to death. They’re just as much my children as my actual children are. I would hate for them to get the dog flu. I knew dogs could get sick, but didn’t know there was so much info available about it.
Right! Animals are great! I consider them all my family and would do anything to help prevent the flu too.
Wow, dog flu is new to me. Great to know that there’s a flu shot for dogs too. 🙂 Will have to ask our vet about it.
Right! I’m glad they have these vaccines too.
I love that they have come out with this vaccine! It really is sad how many dogs can get sick from this every year.
I agree! I’d hate to see any dog have the flu.
I had no idea about the dog flu! I should warn my father-in-law. He has a French Mastiff who is still a puppy.
I honestly should have known more about it too, but I’m glad I do now.
I need to share this info with my son for my grand dogs. They are part of the family and we always treat them so. I know my son would want to know about this.
I’m glad you’re willing to share with him. It’s definitely a very important subject.
I didn’t know anything about dog flu. Silly question, but is it contagious for humans?
I’m not positive about that, but I know that humans can pass it along to dogs.
Pets are amazing companions, they give us love and show us loyalty especially when we need it the most. They deserve the best treatment as well and it’s important that we help them as much as we can, even if it’s just for raising awareness. I hope a lot of people take notice!
I completely agree! They’re just like us, and deserve to be treated with respect. I always make sure to get my pets vaccinated.
This doggys are so cute! al pets deserve to be protected and enjoy a healthy life
Thanks! They sure do.
The dog flu was so bad in Chicago last year. I don’t let my dogs go anywhere unless I know the other dogs around!
That’s a good idea to make sure you know the other dogs.
We didn’t know anything about the dog flu until last year when my sister’s pup became ill. We have been aggressive and proactive with our pups now. Our pups are family, they are our babies, and it is important to take care of them as such. There is always so much to learn … this is great information!
Aww, I hope the pup was okay. I’m glad you all know about it now though. It’s very important.
I’m an animal protector. Dogs deserve to be love, they are so humble.
I completely agree too!
wish i have a pet to take a photo with and share, since i dont have I will be sharing your post instead to spread awareness to other pet owners
Thanks! I appreciate you willing to share this too.
Having a pet with that kind of sickness feels terrible. I’m glad there are causes like the one here that help out people and their pets.
I’m glad as well!
I am so thankful that they have come out with a dog flu vaccine. It can be really scary when your pets get sick.
It sure can. I wouldn’t want to hear about any dog getting the flu. It can be so horrible.
I didn’t know there was such a thing, even. Thanks so much for sharing and raising awareness!
You’re welcome! I’m glad to share and let others know.
They are adorable! I’m going to look for an event in our area. Our pups have an appointment with the vet today <3
Thanks! I hope you can find one in your area.
I never had idea about dog flu, But I’m so glad that you share this awesome information
Same here! I’m happy to share with everyone.
I used to work as a veterinary nurse and saw it many times. More importantly, the other diseases that can be prevented by a vaccine were just horrible. Every dog should be vaccinated.
I completely agree. Every dog should definitely be vaccinated.
I had no idea there is something called dog flu. While my dog is 100% caught up on vaccines I have never heard of this! Super interesting!
It’s very interesting. I didn’t know til recently either.
I love the dog pictures, each face is so expressive. Lol
I had no idea dog flu was a thing. We’ve been thinking about a dog but all I hear is more money flying out of my pocket.
I love all kinds of pets, and they all deserve to be protected too.
Honestly, I haven’t heard about the dog flu and their symptoms. Thanks for the important information
You’re welcome! I’m just glad I can help spread the word.
I had no idea there is a Dog flu. I will have to share this with my Sister. She has two little dogs that could get the vaccine.
I’m glad you’re going to share with her!
I will have to ask my Vet about this vaccine. I would hate for my fur baby to get the flu.
Right! Anything to help prevent it is great.
I don’t know what I would do without animals. They keep me sane and up and moving during the day.
Same here! I love them.
I have been a dog owner since I was 14 year old. I used to be a vet tech in Illinois so I have seen things like this in the past. I am all about protecting my furry friends.
I’m glad to hear that! I think it’s great that everyone is protecting their pets.
They are just like babies and they can be at risk of diseases, vaccination lessens that risk. I hope a lot of dog owners are aware of this and that they get their dogs vaccinated, it’s important that they are cared for because they give us so much love!
I completely agree! I’m glad I can spread the word so those that didn’t know can know about this.
Getting a dog their vaccines is very important, just like a kids vaccine. My Rottweiler hasn’t missed a shot, and it is great they are introducing a flu vaccine. It is horrible in dogs.
I’m glad they’re doing it as well. I can be so terrible if they get the flu.
I’m glad there are vaccine for dog flu. But It is very rare to see one since most of the people never knew this vaccine. I would share this to my friends for them to know as well.
I’m glad as well. Thanks for wanting to share too!
Good to know that dog owners are aware of vaccinations. Your dog is so adorable and I am sure that he’s going to be okay.
Thanks! I’m glad to share this with everyone.
Vaccines is really painful but just like our babies, our pets also need them. This is very informative.
Yep, very true!
Dog fl must be really dangerous, we don’t want these illnesses get to our pets. It is important to get them vaccinated.
Exactly! Very important.
Aw, I remember my dogs when they got their vaccines. They wept in pain, hugging them could really help a lot.
Aww..I hate that they have to go through it too, but it’s so important.
Our dog is so precious to us! I will be calling our vet this morning and ask if Molly needs a flu vaccine.
I’m very glad to hear that! They’re definitely family!
Pets have always played a big part in our lives too, when I was a girl. We have a cat now, he was old and one-eyed but so sweet in nature we had to take him. He’s a beauty.
Pets have always been in my life too. I have always had pets and I love them all.
I have a dog and did not know they got dog flu?? I learn something every day!!
Right! I’m glad that you now know about it though.
This is such an important topic. My husband and I have spent many years treating sick dogs that have been purchased overseas by new owners who assumed they where getting a healthy pet. Worms, fleas… it’s heartbreaking to get a dog at a point where the damage has been done. I wish we could attend this event, it is right up our alley in dog rescue/rehab.
I’m glad that you’re able to help them out though. That’s wonderful! If I could save all pets I definitely would. I’d adopt all if I could too.
I have 4 dogs. 1 Shitzu and 3 Pitbulls. The keep me extremely busy. To answer your question yes, dogs pretty much get everything we do
Yep, very true. They sure do!
I’m not a dog owner, but I doubt many dog owners even knew about the dog flu. Yikes!
Right! I’m glad to be spreading the word.
Well I learnt something new today. That is the reason why I love bloggers because there is always something new to learn
Exactly! I learn so much every day because of bloggers too.
I had no idea that there was such thing as the dog flu! That could explain why my dog has felt down in the dumps a couple times.
Yep, that could be possible!
Omg I had no idea that this could happen to dogs. I have two kitties and now this has me thinking about my cats!
Right! There is so much we may have not known.