KRISHA WILLIAMS

Sherwood Humane Animal Services received a grant from Petfinder.com Foundation and an international animal health company to vaccinate dogs against canine influenza virus, Petfinder announced in a news release.

The virus is new and many dogs have not built up immunity to it, the release said. The grant, also funded by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, makers of the NOBIVAC(r) Canine Flu H3N8 vaccine, is part of a program to increase awareness of the virus and boost immunity.

Dogs contract the virus from infected dogs, toys or food bowls. People also can also spread the germs if they come in contact with infected dogs.“Shelters and rescue organizations are often the first places that new diseases already in the community become evident,” said Liz Neuschatz, director of the Petfinder.com Foundation. “Dogs come in from the community and are released back into it, and often move to and from states with confirmed cases. One sick dog can cause an outbreak through an entire facility.”

Dog flu has been confirmed in 34 states so far, but tracking the virus is hard because it’s difficult to diagnose, the release said. Dogs are contagious before they show symptoms. By the time the dog starts coughing, it’s too late. Some dogs get more serious infections, such as pneumonia, which can be fatal. Dogs that go to doggie daycare, boarding facilities, groomers and shows and are vaccinated for canine cough (Bordetella) are also at risk.

More information about canine flu is available at www.doginfluenza.com.

The Building Community Immunity grant seeks to provide assurance to adopting families that their new pets will be healthy.