Dog flu is the vaccine owners most often ask about, because it needs two doses and the second one is easy to forget. Here is how the kennel handles it.
The kennel's rule in plain words
The kennel's vaccination page says there are two canine influenza viruses, H3N8 and H3N2, and that one vaccination covers both. The initial vaccination is followed by a booster in three to four weeks, and after the booster, annual updates are needed. The kennel accepts a pet for boarding after the initial dose.
The kennel's warning is worth repeating: do not forget the booster, or you may have to start the process over. If your dog's first dose is on the record and the booster is due before or during the stay, get it on schedule and send the new record.
What the illness looks like
Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine describes canine influenza as a contagious respiratory disease, and its symptoms look much like kennel cough: cough, sneezing, fever, lethargy and nasal discharge. Most cases are mild. Because the signs overlap with other respiratory illnesses, only a veterinarian can say which one a dog has. The American Animal Hospital Association lists the influenza vaccine as noncore, chosen for dogs with group exposure, which is the situation for any boarding dog.
Planning around the two doses
Work backward from the drop-off date. The first dose can be on the record by the time you request a stay, and the booster date should fall on a day your veterinarian can fit in. If your dog has never had the vaccine, ask your vet's office for both appointments at once. The timing page shows how the kennel reads dates.
Ask early for holiday dates. A stay that begins between November 19 and December 3, or between December 18 and January 8, falls inside a holiday deposit window (please call to confirm your dates), and a vaccine appointment is easier to book in October than in the week of Thanksgiving.
Sending the record
Upload the record to your ProPetware account with the booking request, email it to the kennel, or bring it on the first check-in day. The canine flu question page has the short answer for anyone in a hurry.