Hey, everyone! It’s me, your attention-loving and tail-wagging JournoDog!

So I have a really important pet health alert to share today. If you haven’t yet, go get your canine vaccinations! Make sure your people know about this and call the V-E-T or doggie boarding spas to get you scheduled soon.

This is real, folks.

Especially for doggos who’ve been in Michigan recently, whether that’s where your fur-ever home is at or you were just visiting Up North.

News stories are circulating everywhere in August 2022 about a “mystery dog illness,” one that is alarmingly dangerous as it’s already killed dozens of doggos in Northern and Central Michigan — and supposedly it can kill dogs off in just a few days. YIKES!

So far, doggo experts studying this say it presents symptoms like parvo, a highly contagious viral disease of dogs that causes acute gastrointestinal illness, according to the Baker Institute for Animal Health. The disease, often fatal, most often strikes in pups between 6 and 20 weeks old, but older animals are sometimes also affected.

Getting dogs vaxxed or updated on their vax shots is most-recommended, along with keeping doggos away from Northern and Central Michigan and away from other dogs as much as possible.

Going back to 2021, the CDC even said so, as did the all-knowing American Vet Medical Association. Human experts at the time said canine influenza is relatively new, appearing for the first time in 2007 in the United States. At a time when the people pandemic has been making all the news and causing so many people to get sick or worse, the canine influenza was also on the rise in many states across the country.

  • Dog flu isn’t a hoax.
  • You aren’t going to turn into a cat by getting this shot.
  • The vaccination isn’t going to plant any special chip into you, but remember you should have one of these microchips anyhow in case you get lost OUTSIDE and need to be reunited with your people.
  • It’s not gonna make you infertile, as that’s what snips and spays are for from the humane society.
  • Idiocy isn’t caused by the vax, but getting a stab will show you’re less of an idiot than all the humans who resist their own vaccinations for serious issues — including the people pandemic prevalent across the globe.

Only 80% of dogs affected by canine influenza show flu-like symptoms, but all infected dogs can spread it. It may take 2 to 4 days before doggos show any signs of illness. and it’s spread by common activities like pats on the head, sharing a tennis ball or water bowl, or nose-to-nose greetings. Infected doggos should be isolated for 21 days to reduce the risk of spreading it further.

My doggo-vax experience

And just so you don’t think I am, just pet-preaching without putting my paws in mouth, be assured that I got stabbed the other day.

Mom and Dad took me to the day-spa early, about the time of my first daily WALK. Instead of strolling down the street for my morning poop, we went on a CAR RIDE and I got to play with my furry friends all day. Late in the day, before Dad came back to bring me home, the human-watchers took me into a little room that several of my friends had been to already.

Some had growled warnings about it, but I didn’t get the full story before eventually it was my turn to go down that little narrow hallway to the room. In there, I met a new person wearing a long white coat that looked yummy and chew-worthy. Her name was “Doctor,” and she welcomed me with a handful of small snack treats.

Distracted, she then proceeded to stab me in the right shoulder with a sharp needle. I was a bit startled and wanted to show my teeth, but it was over before I knew it. Soon enough, I was back with my furry friends.

When Dad came and picked me up to go HOME, I was soooo excited to see him and go on another CAR RIDE with him. It also brought all the tail wags to be back home with all my familiar chew-tastic toys and my own scents everywhere.

That night, the dog flu shot really kicked my furry behind. I was soooo tired and not my usual happy-go-lucky self. Sprawled out on the couch with my eyes closed is how we spent most of the night, and when it was BED time, I moved on over to my little dog blanket pillow bed and snuggled up into a little furry ball until morning.

The next day was pretty much a snoozer for me, too. After a slower and shorter than usual morning WALK, I wasn’t up for my typical daily #JournoDog sniffing and editing duties. Slept most of the day.

But all of it’s worth it, because this canine flu shot will make my tail wags happy and healthy before too long.

They tell me I’d have to return for a booster shot a few weeks later, and from there I’m considered a “fully vaxxed” doggo.

I also have my regular canine vax shots to protect me against parvo and anything of the likes, so everyone at home thinks I’m good and safe for now.

Until next time…

So this is my pet service announcement for now.

Until next week, or whenever the news beckons like a barking dog you can’t help but pay attention to, #JournoDog out.

BNe healthy and safe, friends. Hoomans, pets, and furry friends, alike.

As always, remember: Love your dog. Read a newspaper. Believe in facts and trust credible sources, not conspiracy-peddlers. And try to smile and find a little happiness for your heart every day.

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