Donald MacDougall, a doctor of veterinary medicine with the Los Lunas Animal Clinic, says the H3N8, or canine influenza, is most likely going to make an appearance in New Mexico very soon, if it's not already here.

"This came out of Florida in 2004, and was moving very slowly," MacDougall said. "It is now in all the states surrounding us."

According to data from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), cases of the canine flu have been documented in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Arizona.

MacDougall says veterinarians have been aware of the H3N8 virus since it's discovery, and have been tracking its spread.

There is a vaccine that was release just this summer. It's a set of two shots — an initial inoculation, and then a booster shot two to four weeks later.

"You have to get the booster; otherwise it's not effective," he said. "The vaccine is available for dogs six weeks and older."

The veterinarian says he wants to spread the word about the canine flu and the vaccination not to worry people, but to be proactive.

"We don't want people to panic, but we do want the people of Valencia County and New Mexico to be proactive," he said. "This does have a 1 to 5 percent death rate, and 10 percent of the cases develop pneumonia."

Dog owner Kristin Chavez of Tomé said she will be getting her multiple dog family vaccinated.

"Well, I've had the flu, and it was terrible," she said. "So, anything I can do to help prevent the spread, I will."

The canine flu, much like the human variant, is marked by a cough, sneezing and runny nose. MacDougall said the virus presents like an upper respiratory infection, and many dog owners think it is kennel cough.

"The only way to know if it really is N3N8 is to have a vet do a swab and culture on the dog," he said.

MacDougall said the flu virus has been classified as highly contagious and, in our neighbors to the north, Colorado, the virus is considered enzootic.

"That means it's always there. It's always flu season," he said. "And I know we have a lot of people here in the county that go to the big dog show in Denver.

"Because we have not been exposed, as far as we know, we are what is called immunologically naive."

The canine flu has not been shown to jump species to humans or cats, MacDougall said, and is not related to the H1N1 virus. There is no feline equivalent.

Since the canine influenza is a community-acquired disease, the AAHA considers dogs housed in communal facilities to be at the highest risk. That includes shelters, humane societies, adoption groups, boarding facilities, dog day care centers, pet stores, grooming salons, racing greyhounds and show dogs.

And again, much like humans, in the canine population the elderly, very young and those already compromised are also at risk.

The virus is transmitted within a facility through direct contact with respiratory secretions, aerosols generated by sneezing and/or coughing and contaminated fomites, inanimate objects that can transmit infectious material, including people.

"You can track it in on your shoes, your clothes," MacDougall said. "All our employees are vaccinating their dogs as a precaution."

To control the spread of the flu, AAHA recommends isolating sick or exposed dogs for two weeks, and thorough sanitation of the environment. The incubation period for the virus is two to four days.

Approximately 20 to 25 percent of dogs affected will show no signs of illness.

To help county residents get their dogs vaccinated if they wish, MacDougall and the animal clinic are hosting two canine flu vaccine clinics.

The first is on Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Old Mill Feed Store on N. M. 314. The second is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Cross Country Feed Store in Bosque Farms.

Special pricing on the shots will be offered during these times — $25 per dog, with the pair of vaccines available for $50. The individual shots cost $28, Mac Dougall said.

"Talk to your own vet about whether this is right for your dog," he said. "I really want people to be ahead of the curve on this.

"Personally, I think the death of one dog is too much."