Henry Schein Animal Health's Canine Influenza Resource Center Helps Raise Awareness Of Disease And Promotes Prevention Amid Outbreaks

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of recent canine influenza outbreaks across the country, Henry Schein Animal Health, the U.S. animal health business of Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), reminds veterinarians to visit its web-based Canine Influenza Resource Center for the latest information and educational resources about the disease's risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options.

To help facilitate practitioners' conversations about canine influenza with their clients, the resource center contains a downloadable infographic that veterinary practices can post to their websites and share on social media.

According to the infographic?which sources information from the American Veterinary Medical Association and Merck Animal Health's Dogflu.com?there are two strains of canine influenza that affect dogs and cats alike: H3N2 and H3N8. As of 2017, cases of canine influenza have been found in most U.S. states, with an increased risk of infection in kennels, groomers, shelters, doggy daycare facilities, and dog parks.

The infographic also offers information about canine influenza symptoms that pet owners should watch for. In dogs, symptoms can include a persistent cough for 10 to 21 days, nose or eye discharge, sneezing, lethargy, resistance to eating, and fever. For cats, symptoms can include nasal discharge, congestion, malaise, lip smacking, and excessive salivation.

More information about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of canine influenza can be found in the infographic and by watching Understanding Canine Flu, a video interview with Merck Animal Health's Dr. Melissa Bourgeois about the disease's spread and the steps veterinarians and pet parents can take to protect animal health. The interview is part of #ScheinChats, Henry Schein's signature social media series.

"As canine influenza outbreaks appear in communities across the country, it is more important than ever for veterinarians to speak with their clients about the disease's risk factors and warning signs," said Fran Dirksmeier, President, Henry Schein Animal Health, North America. "Through our Canine Influenza Resource Center, practitioners can rely on us to help them have that conversation. By raising awareness and promoting disease prevention, we at Henry Schein Animal Health are dedicated to helping create better-informed pet parents and a healthier pet population."

About Henry Schein, Inc. 

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a health solutions network powered by people and technology. With more than 22,000 Team Schein Members serving more than 1 million customers globally, the Company is the world's largest provider of Business, Clinical, Technology, and Supply Chain solutions to enhance the efficiency of office-based dental, animal health, and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. 

A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the S&P 500® and the Nasdaq 100® indexes, Henry Schein's network of trusted advisors provides health care professionals with the valued solutions they need to improve operational success and clinical outcomes. The Company offers customers exclusive, innovative products and solutions, including practice management software, e-commerce solutions, specialty and surgical products, as well as a broad range of financial services. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 120,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 180,000 additional products available as special-order items.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 34 countries. The company's sales reached a record $12.5 billion in 2017, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 15 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein, and  @HenrySchein on Twitter.

SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.