Canine Influenza and Parvovirus are on the rise in our area. In order to decrease the spread of these potentially deadly viruses we have developed a new protocol for our sick patients. If your pet is exhibiting any of the following symptoms please follow these instructions carefully, this includes our Saturday walk in appointments.

If your pet is lethargic, has a fever and/or feels warm, and has coughing, sneezing or a runny nose please DO NOT bring your pet in without calling us. These appointments will be scheduled from 5pm-6pm to keep them away from other pets. If you need to come in on a Saturday you will need to CALL us before 11am and come in from 12:30-1:30pm to be seen.

For the following symptoms: lack of appetite, lethargy, rapid breathing, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and/or eye discharge, call so our staff can ask you a few questions to determine whether you should wait until the end of the day or come in earlier and then follow the steps below.

1. CALL to let us know that you are coming in. We will accept walk-ins Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 8:30am-10:30am and 2pm-4pm but you must CALL before coming to the clinic. Walk-ins need to be prepared for a possible wait. Therefore appointments are recommended. Saturdays are still walk-in only but sick patients need to call BEFORE coming to the clinic. Thursdays will remain appointment ONLY.
New clients can print out the new client form HERE and have it completed before the appointment in order to speed things up.

2. When you arrive for your appointment, please remain in your vehicle and CALL to let us know you are here. We will check you in and call or come out to your vehicle when we are ready for you. You will be brought in by a technician and taken straight into the exam room. If your pet is small enough, we ask that you carry it inside to avoid contamination as much as possible. Larger dogs that are unable to be carried must be on a short leash, keeping the pet at your side. Do not use a retractable leash and allow the pet to go further than you. We will keep the door to the exam room closed to decrease exposure to any other pets in the facility. Please do not open the door and walk around or let your pet walk freely throughout the hallway and lobby, as this can contaminate our entire facility.

3. Please note, the technicians and doctors may have on disposable gowns, gloves and shoe covers to minimize their exposure. This is to insure that as they continue the rest of their scheduled day and appointments, they are not walking fomites and exposing other pets. Do not be alarmed. You cannot catch these viruses from your pet.

4. Once we are finished with your appointment, we will come into the exam room to give you your invoice and obtain payment. This keeps you and your pet in the exam room only and not waiting in the lobby with the healthy pets. We will then help you out to your vehicle with your pet, again carrying any pets small enough, and any medications you may be dispensed. Do not take your pet for a walk to potty during your visit as this will further spread contamination.

Your pet can shed these and other viruses for up to 4 weeks, sometimes longer, so you need to make sure you isolate them from other pets. If you have other pets in your home, they have already been exposed, so just watch them for symptoms and keep them away from other animals as well. That means no pets can be taken on walks, to the dog parks, pet stores, groomers or boarding facilities during that 4 week period. Your pet will still be contagious after all signs/symptoms have gone away.
Do not allow any visitors that have young puppies/kittens at home. Even if their little ones do not come over, they will still be exposed and can become fomites.

Fomites are objects and materials that are likely to carry infection, such as clothes, utensils and furniture. This means if you come in contact with a dog that is infected with canine influenza, even if they are not showing symptoms, you can become a carrier of the influenza virus and then go home and expose your pets to it. This virus can live on those fomites, or objects and materials, for up to 24 hours and can sustain in the environment for up to 48 hours.