Spread of Highly Contagious Virus across South Florida

Miami, Florida – Miami-Dade Animal Service urges dog owners to watch their pets in public due to the spread of new highly contagious diseases across south Florida.

According to Dr. Maria Serrano, a veterinarian at Animal Services, “Canine infectious respiratory disease complex is like the canine flu or canine cold. It’s multiple viruses that affect the respiratory tract and causes respiratory symptoms. Sneezing, coughing, and hacking.”

Animal Services also informed about the cases of reported CIRDC throughout South Florida. They use dog owners to help protect their pets by pets keeping them away from places with multiple dogs and keeping them current on routine vaccines.

For protecting the pets in their shelter, Animal Services is temporarily suspending a few of their services until further notice for their dogs.

If your dog starts to show symptoms, go to the vet because they can provide your dog with the proper treatment. Your pup can be put on a regimen of antibiotics. The incubation period is three to ten days. In case of infection, it may last for two weeks to a month.