BALTIMORE COUNTY — Animal health centers in Baltimore County are seeing a scarcity of dog influenza vaccines as summer season starts and more pet owners wish to secure their furry buddies.
“Basically, it triggers a truly bad breathing problem, coughing, sneezing and fever. Drainage from the eyes and nose and some inflammation in the eyes,” said Doctor Rachael Gore who is a Veterinarian at Hunt Valley Animal Hospital.
She says they have a waitlist for the influenza vaccine. Stating the need is expensive and supply too low.
“For us due to the fact that boarding centers have actually needed it which’s increased the requirement for it and they can’t maintain,” said Gore.
According to Dr. Gore, the influenza remains in all types however dogs capturing the influenza returns to 2004.
“It was with greyhounds in Florida, there was a stress that began to contaminate dogs, that was the H3N2 stress,” said Gore.
Dr. Gore said although she’s not seen any cases in Cockeysville, the influenza vaccine is necessary if your dog is social or you prepare to take a trip with your dog.
“The greatest threats are program dogs in specific cause they are taking a trip the nation and dogs that remain in boarding centers, heavy grooming centers, doggie daycare that sort of a thing,” said Gore.
Dog owners Catey and Susan Zacur brought their 2 labradoodle retrievers to get upgraded on vaccines. They said their dogs have the influenza vaccine due to the fact that like people, dogs require to be secured. And it’ll avoid the infect other dogs.
“We have a great deal of dogs in our area, we opt for a number of mile walk every day, and they connect with other dogs,” Zacur said. “So I think if your dog is never out of the house I can understand why you would say why worry, but our dogs are exposed to other dogs so that’s the major reason.”
While dog owners wait on the influenza vaccines to come in, Dr. Gore said it’s important to keep all other vaccines approximately date with boosters.
