Canine Influenza is highly contagious and as a dog parent, it is always important to be prepared to face any risks to your dog’s health. While most cases of Canine Influenza are not fatal, this virus can make your pup uncomfortably sick, causing him — and you — a lot of stress, and will result in time and money spent at the full service vet’s office. If you are a dog owner, you don’t need to panic about the dog flu. You should, however, familiarize yourself with the symptoms so that you know what to look for in the event of an outbreak in your area and be aware of how to best protect your pet.

What is Canine Influenza?

Canine Influenza virus, or the dog flu, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by influenza A virus, similar to the viral strains that cause influenza in people. There are two known strains of dog flu found in the United States:

• H3N8
• H3N2

The H3N8 strain actually originated in horses. The virus jumped from horses to dogs, becoming a canine influenza virus around 2004. The first outbreaks affected racing Greyhounds at a track in Florida. H3N2, on the other hand, originated in Asia, where scientists believe it jumped from birds to dogs. H3N2 is the virus responsible for the 2015 and 2016 outbreaks of canine influenza in the Midwest and continues to spread throughout the United States.

How is the Dog Flu Spread?

Similar to influenza in humans, the dog flu is airborne. Transmission often comes in the form of respiratory excretions spread through coughing, barking, and sneezing, where they are then inhaled by a new canine host. This disease can also spread through contaminated objects and environments, like water bowls, toys, and kennel surfaces, or through contact with people who have had direct contact with an infected dog.

Crowded areas like boarding facilities, grooming parlors, and dog parks are breeding grounds for diseases like canine influenza. The close proximity of the dogs means that a barking, coughing, or sneezing dog can easily infect canines around him. This is made more dangerous by the fact that dogs are most contagious during the incubation period before they start exhibiting symptoms (2-to-4 days from initial exposure).

Viral shedding starts to decrease after the fourth day, but dogs with H3N8 remain contagious for up to 10 days after exposure, and dogs with H3N2 remain contagious for up to 26 days. Most vets recommend isolating dogs with H3N2 for at least 21 days to reduce the risk of transmission.

Almost all dogs that come into contact with the disease will contract it, but not all dogs that become infected show symptoms of the virus. About 20-25 percent of dogs infected are asymptomatic, but these dogs can still spread the disease. If one of your canine companions catches the flu, but the other seems unaffected, remember that he could still have the virus. Talk to your full service veterinarian about quarantine procedures for all dogs in your household.

Symptoms of Canine Influenza

How do you know if your pup has dog flu? There are several symptoms all owners should be aware of. Dog flu, unlike human influenzas, is not seasonal. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms year-round:

• Coughing (both moist and dry)
• Sneezing
• Nasal discharge
• Purulent nasal discharge
• Runny eyes
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing

Most cases of dog flu are mild, but severe cases do occur. In those instances, dogs develop pneumonia, difficulty breathing, and a high fever. Luckily, the mortality rate is relatively low, with less than 10 percent of dog flu cases resulting in fatalities.

Prevention

If you and your dog regularly visit dog parks, kennels, or grooming facilities, it is always best to be prepared by having him vaccinated. TCAP carries a canine influenza vaccine that protects pets from both the H3N8 and H3N2 strains of Canine Influenza. The vaccine is only $20 and it is offered during TCAP’s walk-in vaccine hours. Dogs receiving the Canine Influenza vaccine for the first time will need to get it boosted 3-4 weeks after the initial vaccine, but afterwards it only needs to be boosted annually.

The best way to prevent your dog from contracting dog flu is to keep him updated on his shots and away from public places or kennels with recently reported cases. If you come into contact with a dog that you suspect has dog flu or has recently been exposed to it, wash your hands, arms, and clothing before touching your own dog. This will reduce the risk of transmission from you to your dog.

Curious about what else you can do to protect your pet? Read more about what vaccines your dog needs

At TCAP, we serve many clients who have increased concerns about heartworms during the warmer months of the year. However, in the North Texas climate, heartworms are a threat year-round. Approximately 10-20 dogs test positive for heartworms each month in TCAP. This is often caused by the misconception that inside dogs don’t need heartworm prevention or that dogs are safe from heartworms during winter months. As you will see, heartworms are hard to prevent without heartworm medication and heartworms are much more difficult and expensive to treat than to prevent.

Heartworm Misconceptions

The Companion Animal Parasite Council released a 2019 forecast that, “despite the availability of heartworm chemoprophylaxis, Endemic areas of heartworm disease [are] expected to have higher than average prevalence in 2019.” Like most years, Texas was predicted to be one of the hardest hit regions. This is due to two major preconceptions regarding heartworms.

Misconception #1: Indoor-Only Pets Are Safe From Heartworms

While it is true that outdoor dogs are more likely to be bitten my infected mosquitoes, it is common that mosquitoes come inside our homes looking for blood meals. It only takes one mosquito bite to infect a healthy pet with heartworms. It is important to note that just because you do not notice mosquitoes, it does not mean they are not present. Heartworm prevention is still an essential part of yearly care for dogs because of the risk that all pets are exposed to in Texas, both inside and outside the home.

Misconception #2: Mosquitoes are not active in colder months

Texas does not have standard weather patterns. Our winters can present weather days with snow one week and be 80 degrees the next. While freezes do kill adult mosquitoes (the ones outdoors at least), their eggs are tough and are meant to ride out extreme temperatures. In fact, mosquito eggs can lie dormant for up to two years before hatching when ideal conditions present themselves. Protecting our dogs requires vigilance and keeping our pets on heartworm prevention year round.

At TCAP, community animal welfare is essential to use and we believe that consistency with heartworm prevention is a key component in achieving that goal. Do you need to get your pet started on heartworm prevention? Come in with your dog during TCAP’s Walk-in Vaccine Hours to purchase a heartworm test and go home with some protection today. Through the end of October 2019, heartworm tests are only $10 when you purchase a year of Tri-Heart or Trifexis for the same pet in the same visit.

We work with a lot of great folks at animal shelters across DFW. We see firsthand how your local shelter works to make your community better each day. Animal shelters are commonly seen as the last line of defense against animal overpopulation, but often they offer so much more than that.

Shelters often collect knowledge or have firsthand knowledge of great resources for how to take care of your pet once you get them home and what pet-related activities are happening in your community. They also offer great volunteer opportunities for animal lovers!

In an effort to improve community involvement with the many great animal shelters in North Texas, we have compiled a list of all animal shelters in this region. Try dropping by your shelter to see what’s new with animals in your community or see how you can help local animals in need.

Name of Shelter	Address	Phone Number	Website
Addison Animal Services	4799 Airport Parkway Addison, Tx 75001	(972) 450-2845	https://addisontexas.net/
Allen Animal Shelter	770 S Allen Heights Drive Allen, Tx 75002	(214) 509-4378	https://www.cityofallen.org/947/Animal-Control-Shelter
Alvarado Animal Control	602 S Parkway Alvarado, Tx 76009	(817) 790-0910	https://www.cityofalvarado.org/
Arlington Animal Control	1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd Arlington, Tx 76004	(817) 459-5898	http://www.arlington-tx.gov/animals/
Azle Animal Shelter	724 Park Street Azle, Tx 76020	(817) 752-2681	http://azleanimalshelter.org/
Bedford Animal Control	1809 Reliance Pkwy Bedford, Tx 76021	(817) 952-2191	https://bedfordtx.gov/516/Animal-Services
Burleson Animal Control	775 SE John Jones Dr Burleson, Tx 76028	(817) 447-5426	https://www.burlesontx.com/500/Animal-Services
Carrollton Animal Control	2247 Sandy Lake Rd Carrollton, Tx 75006	(972) 466-3420	https://www.cityofcarrollton.com/departments/departments-a-f/animal-services
Cleburne Animal Services	212 West Katherine P Raines Road Cleburne, Tx 76033	(817) 556-8895	http://www.cleburne.net/267/Donations
Collin County Animal Services	4750 Community Blvd McKinney, Tx 75071	(972) 547-7292	https://www.collincountytx.gov/Services/Animal-Services
Crowley Animal Control	101 E. Main St. Crowley, Tx 76036	(817) 297-2201	http://www.ci.crowley.tx.us/74/Animal-Control
Dallas Animal Control	1818 Westmoreland Dallas, Tx 75212	(214) 670-6800	https://dallascityhall.com/departments/dallas-animal-services/Pages/default.aspx
Decatur City Animal Control	2901 S FM 51 Decatur, Tx 76234	(940) 627-7888	http://www.animalshelter.org/shelters/Decatur_Animal_Shelter_rId5009_rS_pC.html
Denton Animal Control	3717 N Elm St Denton, Tx 76205	(940) 349-7594	https://www.cityofdenton.com/165/Animal-Services
Euless Animal Control	1517 Westpark Way Euless, Tx 76040	(817) 685-1594	http://www.eulesstx.gov/animal/
Everman Animal Shelter	3961 Bluebell Street Everman, Tx 76041	(817) 561-5495	http://www.evermantx.net/animal/
Farmers Branch Animal Control	3727 Valley View Ln Farmers Branch, Tx 75244	(972) 243-7605	http://www.farmersbranch.info/213/Animal-Adoption-Center
Flower Mound Animal Services	3950 Justin Rd Double Oak, Tx 75028	(972) 874-6390	https://www.flower-mound.com/
Fort Worth Animal Shelter	4900 Martin Street Fort Worth, Tx 76104	(817) 392-1234	http://fortworthtexas.gov/animals/
Garland Animal Services	600 Tower St Garland, Tx 75046	(972) 205-3570	http://www.ci.garland.tx.us/gov/ab/animals/default.asp
Grand Prairie Animal Control	2222 W. Warrior Trail Grand Prairie, Tx 75052	(972) 237-8575	https://www.gptx.org/city-government/city-departments/animal-services
Grapevine Animal Control	500 Shady Brook Grapevine, Tx 76051	(817) 410-3370	https://www.grapevinetexas.gov/1251/Animal-Services
Hickory Creek Animal Shelter	970 Main Street Hickory Creek, Tx 75065	(940) 465-7444	https://www.hickorycreek-tx.gov/animal
Highland Village Animal Control	2810 Justin Road Highland Village, Tx 75077	(469) 444-0915	http://www.highlandvillage.org/Directory.aspx?did=5
Hurst Animal Control	891 Cannon Drive Hurst, Tx 76054	(817) 788-7216	https://www.hursttx.gov/residents/animal-services
Irving Animal Control	4140 Valley View Lane Irving, Tx 75038	(972) 721-2256	https://www.cityofirving.org/3265/Animal-Services
Joshua Animal Services	100 Santa Fe St. Joshua, Tx 76058	(817) 774-9450	https://www.cityofjoshuatx.us/
Kennedale Animal Control	401 Municipal Dr Kennedale, Tx 76060	(817) 985-2163	https://www.cityofkennedale.com/163/Animal-Control
Lake Dallas Animal Control	687 North Lakeview Lake Dallas, Tx 75065	(940) 497-7090	http://www.lakedallas.com/148/Animal-Services
Lancaster Animal Shelter	690 E Main St Lancaster, Tx 75146	(972) 218-1210	http://www.lancaster-tx.com/
Lewisville Animal Shelter	995 E Valley Ridge Blvd Lewisville, Tx 75029	(972) 219-3478	https://www.cityoflewisville.com/our-services/animal-services
Little Elm Animal Services	1605 Mark Tree Little Elm, Tx 75068	(972) 377-1898	https://www.littleelm.org/81/Animal-Services
Mansfield Animal Control	407 Industrial Blvd Mansfield, Tx 76063	(817) 276-4799	https://www.mansfieldtexas.gov/159/Animal-Care-Control
Mesquite Animal Shelter	1650 Gross Rd Mesquite, Tx 75149	(972) 216-6283	https://www.cityofmesquite.com/130/Animal-Services
North Richland Hills Animal Control	7200 B Dick Fisher Dr South North Richland Hills, Tx 76180	(817) 427-6570	https://www.nrhtx.com/89/Animal-Services
Plano Animal Services	4028 W. Plano Parkway Plano, Tx 75093	(972) 769-4360	http://www.plano.gov/194/Animal-Services
Richardson Animal Shelter	1330 Columbia Dr. Richardson, Tx 75081	(972) 744-4480	https://www.cor.net/
Richland Hills Animal Control	7049 Baker Blvd Richland Hills, Tx 76118	(817) 616-3769	https://www.richlandhills.com/157/Animal-Services
Sachse Animal Control	6436 Sachse Rd. Sachse, Tx 75048	(972) 675-9662	http://www.cityofsachse.com/90/Animal-Control
Saginaw Animal Control	205 Brenda Ln Saginaw, Tx 76179	(817) 230-0460	http://www.ci.saginaw.tx.us/
Seagoville Animal Shelter	1330 E Malloy Bridge Rd Seagoville, Tx 75159	(972) 287-6838	http://www.seagoville.us/
The Colony Animal Services	4720 E. Lake Highlands The Colony, Tx 75056	(972) 370-9250	https://www.thecolonytx.gov/149/Animal-Services
Tri-City Animal Shelter	1150 E Pleasant Run Rd, Cedar Hill, TX 75104	(972) 291-5335	N/A
Watauga Animal Services	5203 Watauga Road Watauga, Tx 76137	(817) 656-9614	https://www.cowtx.org/814/Animal-Services
Weatherford Animal Control	403 Hickory Ln Weatherford, Tx 76086	(817) 598-4111	http://www.ci.weatherford.tx.us/15/Animal-Shelter
White Settlement Animal Control	8900 Raymond Ave White Settlement, Tx 76108	(817) 246-1043	http://www.wstx.us/aco/

Does your dog dread bath time? We have run into some aquaphobic pups in the past, and we thought we would gather some of our most helpful tips to make bath time easier and less stressful for both you and your pet.

Setup

The first step begins before your dog even knows that a bath is on the way. First, you will need to gather the supplies you will need for his bath: 

• Leash and Collar
• Dog Treats
• Peanut Butter
• All Natural Shampoo
• Towel and blow dryer
• A bucket and sponge

Once you have gathered everything, lay down a non-slip bathmat inside the tub to help your dog feel more secure and prevent unnecessary splashing if  your dog attempts to stabilize himself. For water, you may either fill your tub to ankle high with warm water or you may grab a bucket and sponge if your dog is freaked out by any body of water at all.

Bath Time

When you are set up, it is now time to get started. For ease, we have broken down bath time into 4 steps:

Step 1: Call your Dog

It is now time to bring your dog to the bathing area. Use treats if necessary. If your dog senses what is coming, the treats may help, but putting on his leash will also let him know it is time to listen. Lift or guide your dog into the tub and secure his leash to prevent him from bolting. If he is acting anxious at this point, you can put peanut butter on the edge of the tub to keep him distracted and help soothe his nerves.

Step 2: Get Him Wet

Check the temperature of the water to ensure that it is not to hot or too cold. Then, using a cup or sponge, wet your dog from the base of his skull down to the tip of his tail. Most coats will repel the first douse of water so you may need to repeat this a few times to get him truly wet.

Step 3: Shampoo

When selecting your shampoo, ensure that you use a product that is both alcohol-free and formulated for dogs. Human shampoos and most dish soaps may irritate your pet’s skin.

Follow the instructions on the particular shampoo bottle of your choice. Most will instruct you to avoid your dog’s eyes by massaging the shampoo from the base of your dog’s skull throughout his coat. Just as you did with the water before, work your way back through his coat using long, gentle strokes. Refer to your shampoo bottle for how long to keep the shampoo in his coat before rinsing. Most of this time, this will take a few minutes, so keep him distracted by massaging the shampoo into his coat and praising him.

When the shampoo has had time to do its job, you may now begin to rinse him off. Repeat this step until the water runs completely clear. This may take several repetitions, but it is important to get the shampoo completely out of his coat so that it does not settle in and cause irritation later.

Step 4: Dry Him Off

To dry him off, you may either use a blow-dryer or a towel. If you know him to be scared of loud noises, use the towel to ensure that this experience ends on a positive note.

When he is relatively dry, you may notice that he will want to run around and expend a large amount of energy. This is known as doing “zoomies.” Zoomies are a completely normal part of dog behavior that usually serves as a way of relieving stress and pent up energy after engaging in a boring or stressful activity. If the weather permits, let your dog outside for a while into your back yard to give him room to run.

Techniques to curb nail trim anxiety

Giving your pet medication is an important, but often tricky, task. If you are struggling with giving your pet medications he needs, check out our tips and tricks listed below to help ensure that he takes his medication properly.

Pills and Hard Chews

Whether it is pain medication post neuter or his monthly heartworm medication, sometimes a dog just does not want to cooperate when it comes time for his next dose. For heartworm chewables, first try using the “Chaser Treat” technique. To begin, give your pet a treat (if you often require your pet to perform a trick before receiving a treat, have him do so like normal to help curb his suspicion). Praise him and follow up with his heartworm chew. Hopefully, your dog will be primed to believe that this is a treat, especially if your training sessions normally involve multiple treats. However, if you are giving your dog a pill, you want him to avoid chewing it if possible. The first technique to employ with a pill is to disguise its taste with a pill pocket. Pill pockets for both dogs and cats are available at all major pet supply stores.  Pill pockets can prove to be a very simple, yet effective way to trick your pet into thinking that their medicine is a tasty treat.

If the techniques described above don’t work, it is time to turn to food. This strategy is likely to be your pets favorite because it involves hiding a pill or chewable in highly appealing foods. Soft foods such as butter, peanut butter, cream cheese, and spreadable cheese (human or canine variety) work well for pills that need to be swallowed without being chewed. For chewable meds, you may use the spreads mentioned above or deli meats such as salami or liverwurst to mask the scent and flavor. Unfortunately, this technique may not be 100% successful. Some pets may realize what is happening and eat the good-tasting food and spit out the treat. If this is the case, don’t despair. Wait 30 minutes to give your pet time to forget and try with a different food or technique.

Liquid Medicine

Oral, liquid medications often come in either pre-portioned, multiple syringes or bottles where you draw up a certain quantity into one syringe. Delivery techniques do vary depending if you are giving the medication to your dog or cat so we will cover those separately.

Dogs – Draw the medication into the dropper or syringe and hold it in one hand. Stand/kneel to the side of your dog. Place one hand behind your dog’s head to stabilize it. You can gently stroke the back of the head to distract your dog. Using your other hand, insert the tip of the dropper or syringe into the side of your dog’s mouth. Try to stay close to the back of the mouth (near the molars) and away from the canine teeth (near the front of the mouth). Once the syringe tip is in, empty the medication into the mouth and release your dog’s head. Rub your dog’s throat lightly to encourage swallowing.

Cats – Draw the medication into the dropper or syringe and hold it in on hand. Bring your cat onto a large, stable surface that is about waist level (a table or bathroom counter works well). Scruff your cat with one hand to give you control of where your cat’s head is and it will help immobilize their body. Ensure that your cat is able to support his bodyweight on the counter or table as you scruff him so that he avoids injury. If you are unfamiliar with how to scruff your cat, practice a few times so that both you and your cat become familiar with the sensation. If your cat becomes bothered by the practice, pet them to sooth them and wait about 15 minutes before returning to the task. Once you have scruffed your cat, use your other hand to insert the tip of the syringe into the side of his mouth. Try to stay close to the back of his mouth (near the molars) and away from the canine teeth (near the front of the mouth). Once the tip is in, empty the medication into the mouth and release your cat’s head. Rub his throat lightly to encourage swallowing.

If your pet is strongly resistant or becomes fearful (growling or hissing), take a break. Your pet may become agitated from your initial approach and as a result may harm you or even himself in the process. It is best to wait until your pet calms down before making another attempt. In the meantime, enlist help from a friend or family member to help restrain your pet or distract them with affection during the technique of your choice. Hopefully you find these tips useful in ensuring that your pet takes their medications promptly and with as little fuss as possible.

        When you visit TCAP, your safety and the comfort and safety of your pet are paramount. It is important to learn how to properly handle your pet either for a vet visit or while providing at-home care. We believe that with all the smells, sounds and experiences that come with a yearly vet visit, your pet will be most comfortable in your arms. We have developed a simple technique for you to use when restraining your pet to help make your experience at TCAP even better.

What is Restraint?

        Restraint as a word has a slightly negative connotation to it. However, if done properly, your pet can be comfortable and even encouraged while receiving veterinary care. The purpose of restraint is for the safety of all parties involved (your pet, yourself, and the TCAP employees providing care for your pet). Perfect restraint allows your pet to feel comfortable and calm while still preventing him from moving his body while TCAP staff works hard to provide him with preventative care he needs to stay safe and healthy.

C.A.R.E. Technique

        We developed the C.A.R.E. Technique as a tool to help you make your pet’s TCAP visits as smooth and stress-free as possible. There are four components to the C.A.R.E. Technique: Cradle, Arm, Rear, and Encourage. Each part is displayed and explained in greater detail below.

Cradle – Place one hand around your dog’s torso and pull them into your chest to hold her against your body. This part of the technique allows you to have good control of your dog’s movement because they cannot use their paws to push on your arm and out of your restraint. If done properly, this should feel like you are hugging your pet.

Arm – Take your free arm and place it around your dog’s neck and hug their head to your shoulder. Remember to keep her head secure while ensuring that she can still breathe properly. This part of the technique is essential for preventing your pet from reacting defensively when receiving vaccines. Often times, if a pet gets scared enough or if they are not expecting a vaccine injection, they can react by biting at the technician or even (in rare cases) the owner. Keeping their head hugged against your shoulder prevents her from being able to do so.

Rear – Use your elbow to help compress your dog’s body against your torso. Ensure that you leave enough room for our staff to administer the shots she needs. This part of the technique is required so that our staff can quickly administer your pet’s services.

Encourage – You can help soothe your dog’s nerves by petting them with your thumbs and using verbal encouragement. Using your thumbs in this manner allows the rest of your hand to remain focused on keeping your pet still, but still gives you some leeway to comfort your pet. Verbal encouragement here goes a long way as well.

        Practice the technique at home a few times to help your pet get comfortable with the process. Once you are ready, you can test it out to get your pet vaccines, heartworm testing, microchipping or several other wellness services during TCAP’s walk-in vaccine hours: https://texasforthem.org/hours-locations/vaccinations/. We look forward to seeing you soon!