BluePearl-Louisville opens mobile medical unit for treating canine influenza

BluePearl-Louisville's mobile canine influenza treatment unit provides patients with antibiotics, fluids an oxygen support. (Photo courtesy of BluePearl Veterinary Partners)Canine influenza can be tough to tackle in veterinary hospitals without doing more harm than good, but the BluePearl Veterinary Partners hospital in Louisville, Kentucky-one of eight states with confirmed cases of the H3N2 virus-may have come up with a solution.

On June 29, the staff opened a temporary medical unit for treating canine influenza that is separate-but not far from-its main facility, according to a BluePearl release. The mobile clinic operates out of a trailer in BluePearl-Louisville's parking lot, and it has been getting a lot of use.

Within the first two weeks, the Louisville team treated over 50 patients suspected of having the virus. As of July 31, the auxiliary unit had reported 10 confirmed cases of the H3N2 strain, and four patients had died of the highly contagious virus.

The temporary treatment trailer has been favorably received by both pet owners and primary care veterinarians.

“We've had a great response from the entire veterinary community and pet parents as well,” said Scott Rizzo, DVM, MS, DACVIM, medical director of BluePearl-Louisville, in the release. “Together, we're attacking this disease as efficiently as possible.”