At Vets to Pets, our mission is to make gold-standard veterinary care compassionate, personalized, and stress-free by bringing it the comfort of your own home. From routine wellness and diagnostics to end-of-life care, we prioritize both your dog’s medical needs and emotional comfort during every visit.

We’re committed to keeping dogs healthy and safe from preventable diseases,  including Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), commonly called “dog flu.” While it’s not always severe, influenza in dogs spreads quickly and can lead to serious complications, especially in puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with underlying health conditions.

What is Canine Influenza?

Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that produces symptoms similar to kennel cough but can sometimes be more serious. In the United States, there are two main strains, H3N8 and H3N2, which is why the bivalent vaccine is designed to protect against both.

Common signs of dog flu include a persistent cough, sneezing, nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, and reduced appetite. In some cases, the virus can lead to pneumonia or secondary infections. Because the virus spreads easily in places where dogs gather (like dog parks, boarding facilities, grooming salons, and daycare centers) vaccination is an important step in prevention.

Why the Bivalent Vaccine is Important

The bivalent canine influenza vaccine protects against both H3N8 and H3N2 strains. Even if a vaccinated dog is exposed to the virus, symptoms are generally milder, and recovery is faster. Vaccination also helps prevent outbreaks, keeping communal dog environments safer for all pets.

Who Should Get the Canine Influenza Vaccine?

  • Dogs who attend boarding, daycare, or grooming facilities
  • Dogs that frequently socialize with other dogs
  • Dogs traveling to areas with known influenza outbreaks
  • Immunocompromised dogs at higher risk for complications

Vaccination Schedule

  • Dogs with no prior vaccination: Two initial doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart
  • Booster: Annual vaccination recommended for ongoing protection in at-risk dogs

At Vets to Pets, we can help you determine whether your dog’s lifestyle and exposure risk make the CIV vaccine a priority.

At Vets to Pets

We believe in personalized preventive care. Canine influenza is highly contagious, but vaccination, good hygiene, proper socialization, and awareness of outbreaks dramatically reduces risk. Protecting your dog from influenza keeps them healthy and helps safeguard the broader dog community. Ask your veterinarian whether the bivalent Canine Influenza vaccine is right for your pet.