Welcome Pet Friends and family!
Canine Infectious Respiratory Outbreak going on in Charlotte Details below
After hours emergency?
Please select the "more" tab above to get a list of after hours emergency providers in the area.
Canine Infectious Respiratory Outbreak- (Canine Flu- H3N2)
Canine Infectious Respiratory Outbreak- (Canine Flu- H3N2)
Canine Infectious Respiratory Outbreak- (Canine Flu- H3N2)
As many of you may have heard, there has been a recent severe outbreak of a respiratory infection that has hit the Greater Charlotte region.
Clinical signs have been similar to Kennel Cough and may include-
- Hacking cough
- Nasal discharge
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Possible progression into pneumonia
Early testing Dilworth Animal Hospital has done (funded by Elanco) has identified Canine Flu (H3N2) as the primary cause of this outbreak.
Treatment-
Since this is a virus, the treatment in most cases is supportive care. An antibiotic is prescribed to prevent secondary infection and a steroid to lessen coughing is added.
We are trying to prevent the upper respiratory signs from moving to the chest and causing pneumonia.
If your dog was vaccinated for the flu with the bivalent vaccine, this will be protective and lessen clinical signs, but will NOT necessarily prevent them from getting infected.
This virus is very infectious (by way of respiratory droplettes), so keeping away from other dogs that may be infected is the best prevention. Ideally, avoiding gathering places for other dogs is advised.
We do recommend that Post Infection (no more clinical signs) we recommend 2 weeks isolation from other dogs so they will not transmit the virus.
Vaccinations-
Due to the outbreak, daycares/groomers/boarding facilities are requiring the flu vaccine confirmation before allowing dogs back into their facilities.
They will likely not accept natural immunity from previous infection as proof of immunization.
If your dog is getting the vaccine for the first time, they are required to get the first shot and then be boostered by a second shot 2 to 3 weeks later. Until 2 weeks after the second shot, the dog will not have immunity.
Dogs getting boosters of the bivalent flu only need 1 shot to booster immunity. There is no timeframe required between vaccination and efficacy of immunity.
Unfortunately, even before the outbreak, availability of the bivalent flu vaccine was limited due to manufacturing issues. Since the outbreak, the vaccine availability has been reduced further and is on an allocation system by distributors.
Until increase in supply, vaccinations can only be given based on availability.
Visit to the Veterinarian-
If your pet has been to a been to a groomer, day-care, boarding facility, or dog park and is showing ANY clinical signs, we would recommend your dog coming in for an exam. We would prefer to start treatment earlier to try to prevent more severe progression that is being seen without medications.
Please call ahead BEFORE coming to the clinic. Please STAY IN YOUR CAR with your pet when you get here. Call the front desk to check in and we will come to your car to discuss the next steps.
Thank you for your patience,
Matthew Wheelock, DVM/Owner
Dilworth Animal Hospital
We ask that all medication pick-ups call 24 hours ahead so we can try to limit your wait time.
Please drop off any medical samples Monday -Friday between 7:30am and 5:30pm
As always, we are happy to talk to you if any concerns arise.
NEW CLIENTS
Canine Infectious Respiratory Outbreak- (Canine Flu- H3N2)
Canine Infectious Respiratory Outbreak- (Canine Flu- H3N2)
Thank you for your interest!
In order to best serve all clients we have instituted a few policies to smooth the transition to our practice.
1- We need your pet's medical record prior to your visit in order to provide best care. Please provide us with either a copy of your records or the name of an animal care facility to contact to get your records at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. If you are unable to get your pet's medical records, we may need to reschedule your visit to offer complete care.
2- Given the high demand for appointments at this time, we now require a $25 "no show" deposit for all new clients. This deposit will be collected when you make your first appointment. The entire amount will be applied to your first visit. Should you elect to cancel your appointment your deposit will be refunded, as long as cancellation happens before the close of business the day prior to your appointment (Monday- Friday 6pm, Saturday 12pm.) If you do not cancel or reschedule before the allotted time and then elect not to come to your scheduled appointment, the $25 will pay the "no show" fee.
It is not our intention to be punitive, with the high demand for appointments, we are attempting to help as many animals as we can each day. Any “no show” appointments are a missed opportunity to help other furry(and scaly) friends.
Our original building
Our original building
Our original building
Our original home was a 1910 Bungalow that was largely destroyed in a fire Thanksgiving weekend 2019. It was torn down in July 2021. We still intend to replace the building once we have a plan that will meet historic district approval.
Our medical modular
Our original building
Our original building
Our custom built modular animal hospital gives us exam rooms, reception area, medical treatment, extra storage and laundry space. It will be with us until the replacement building for 814 is built.
Basic Information-
1) We are back in our old parking lot at our original location 814 East Blvd. Please call our normal phone number 704-808-7387 to talk with reception about making an appointment.
2) On-line pharmacy is still working and is checked daily for approvals.
3) We are offering full veterinary services including x-rays, surgeries, and dental cleanings in our new facilities.
Dear Dilworth Animal Hospital Family,
Thank you so much for the love and support sent out and expressed to us and our staff. We continue to offer our care and compassion to our patients and clients. We feel that our love of animals and the joy they bring to our lives is the link that brings us together. Thank you for continuing to share your fuzzy family with us.
With Love and Thanks,
Jill and Matthew Wheelock and all of us at Dilworth Animal Hospital
Our Philosophy-
Our philosophy can be summarized in two words: “Compassionate Care.”
This means top quality medicine paired with a sensitivity to the needs of your family. We recognize that there are many factors that come into play for each patient and their family. We strive to listen to and address all of these needs. We take great pride in the amount of time devoted to educating our families. Your family deserves to know why a particular protocol is recommended and what the value of these treatments will be in the long term. We also feel that it is important to help differentiate between what is needed versus what is optimal. We will always treat your “family members” as if they were our very own.
We are honest, hardworking, and very good at the medicine that we practice. We are also ferociously proud that we are able to help and serve our community around us. Mostly we love what we do and we have a fun time doing it!
Locally owned and operated
Learn More
Dilworth Animal Hospital Address: 820 East Blvd Charlotte, NC 28203 (704) 808-PETS or (704) 808-7387 Fax- (704) 808-7388 Contact Us at: ContactUs@DilworthAnimalHospital.com