Vets Say Preparation Is the Key To Pets Weathering the Dog Days of Summer | Eastern NC Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     Several of North Carolina's top veterinarians said today at a news conference at the Executive Mansion that preparation is the key to helping your pets weather the Dog Days of Summer.

    Claire Holley, North Carolina Veterinary Medicine Association (NCVMA) Executive Director, began the program and thanked Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory for opening the Executive Mansion up to help raise awareness of the need to protect pets throughout North Carolina.

    "We are very thankful for the collaboration and support of the experts at the Department of Agriculture, N.C. Veterinary Medicine Association, N.C. State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Hospital, Wake County Animal Center and the Wake County SPCA," said First Lady McCrory. "Pets are an important part of North Carolina's families from the mountains to the coast, and we encourage you to consider visiting a local pet adoption center to give one a home. Today, everyone taught us all something new about how to keep our pets healthy and safe. Our furry companions can't tell us what's going on, so it's so important to learn how their bodies work differently than ours. Now when we head to the vet for our next appointment, we will be able to ask better questions and have a greater understanding of how to support our pets."

    Dr. Brenda Stevens, of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Hospital, spoke about the danger of leaving pets unattended in vehicles as well as reminded owners to protect their animals against sunburn.


    Dr. Patricia Norris, Animal Welfare Director for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, gave an update on the new strain of Canine Influenza (H3N2) which appeared in North Carolina during the first week of July. There have been 10 laboratory confirmed cases of the H3N3 strain in North Carolina. Approximately 225 cases with signs consistent with canine influenza have been reported to the Animal Welfare Section.

    Most of the cases have been centered in the Asheville area with sporadic cases in Winston-Salem and Wake County. Most cases have been associated with boarding or daycare facilities. One case is presumed to have been associated with contact with a shelter dog.

    Dr. Norris said symptoms pet owners need to be on the lookout for include low energy and decreased appetite, discharge from the nose and a harsh cough.

    Dr. Jennifer Lynn Federico, Animal Services Director at the Wake County Animal Center, spoke about preparing pets for emergencies such as tropical storms and hurricanes. She said it's important for dogs to have an identifying microchip and to have a pet's medical history, vaccination status and rabies certificate saved to a thumb drive or to an online storage program.

    Dr. Federico also reminded people about the importance of rescuing and adopting dogs. Attending the press conference were three dogs from the Wake County Animal Center.


Lillian (left), a four year old Boxer mix, Fonda (middle), a five year old Staffordshire Terrier mix and Harley (right), a seven year old female Lab mix, are among the dogs available for adoption at the Wake County Animal Center.

    Kim Janzen, executive director of the Wake County SPCA and a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator, provided additional reminders for pet safety and thanked the governor and first lady for their commitment to animal welfare.

    "I love that they offered us this opportunity to share some really great information about protecting our pets and again championing the care of companion animals in North Carolina," said Kim Janzen, referring to the governor and first lady. "Their voices have made an indelible difference in the lives for homeless, abused and stray animals across the state of North Carolina."

    Claire Holley with NCVMA ended the program with one final reminder to "love your pet... and see a vet!"

    More information on pet safety, the H3N2 canine influenza and pet adoption can be found at:

• Wake County Animal Center: http://www.wakegov.com/pets;
• SPCA of Wake County: http://www.spcawake.org/site/PageServer;
• NC Department of Agriculture: http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/aws/canineflu/;
• NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine: https://cvm.ncsu.edu/;
• NC Veterinary Medical Association: http://www.ciclt.net/sn/clt/ncvma/default.aspx?ClientCode=ncvma;
• American Veterinary Medical Foundation: https://www.avma.org/public/petcare/pages/default.aspx.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov