Every day we see headlines about the “mysterious” dog virus that’s creeping its way around the country. We’ve noticed lower attendance in dog training classes. And a friend who owns a dog daycare and boarding facility tells us that business is half what it should be this time of year.

So how worried should you be? We’ve obviously been paying attention to what’s going on. Anything about dog health and wellness is always on our radar. This virus, so far, seems to have more bark than bite.

Pandemic phobia

Since the world was taken by surprise by the COVID 19 pandemic, there seems to be a “once bitten, twice shy” mentality. The least report of a new, or unfamiliar, respiratory virus gets a lot of attention very quickly. Even when the patients are dogs, not people.

The reports we’ve seen so far indicate that this virus is rather mild unless the affected dog is immune-compromised, either due to age (young or old) or illness. For people with dogs that fall into these categories, it’s probably a good idea to be overly cautious. If you have a vulnerable dog, maybe it’s not a good time to board them. Or take them walking in areas that many unfamiliar dogs use. 

Tango, Fran’s Brussels Griffon, is 14+ years old. Needless to say, after a rather difficult Autumn, he’s not leaving his own fenced yard for the duration. His health issues were stomach, not respiratory, but we’re not taking any chances.

Use common sense

For the rest of us and our dogs, normal common sense should apply. For us, that means bringing our own dog crates to training classes instead of using “public” ones at the facility. We don’t let our dogs drink out of the courtesy water bowls wherever we are. Bringing our own training treats is a must. We pay attention to what our dogs are sniffing on the ground. If someone was rude enough to leave their dog’s excrement, we make sure to keep our dogs clear of it. If we’re carrying extra poop bags, we may even pick it up and toss it in the trash. And wash our hands as soon as we get home.

Another good idea is to keep your dog’s vaccinations updated. If your dog hasn’t had the canine flu vaccine, talk to your vet and consider whether it might be worthwhile. If you do visit the veterinarian, think about keeping your dog in your car until they’re ready for you. The one place you can be sure sick dogs hang out is there.

If you go somewhere and pet unfamiliar dogs, wash your hands before you pet your own. We all had proper hand-washing procedures drummed into us. Use what you know. And your common sense. 

Enjoyed this post? Click here to sign up for the weekly newsletter and never miss another!