Merck Dog Flu

As part of its Nobivac line of vaccines, Merck Animal Health protects against two strains of canine influenza, or dog flu. The company created a website, dogflu.com, to promote awareness and understanding of the disease. The content and visual branding of the site were in need of an update, so they partnered with Level Five Solutions on a redesign.

What’s new about dog flu?

Canine influenza, also known as dog flu, is a relatively new disease caused by two different virus strains. The Nobivac team created the website to educate pet owners and pet care professionals on the symptoms, prevalence, and prevention of dog flu. The site had been active for a few years, but was due for a refresh in both content and design. In addition, the site needed to be migrated from its current platform to the standardized WordPress environment used across Merck Animal Health.

Content, color, and context

Since awareness of dog flu has typically been low among pet owners, it was important to research the most current information users were seeking out. We conducted keyword research via search engine optimization tools and used the information to update content and the navigation structure. We also took advantage of Nobivac’s colorful visual brand standards to give the site a fresh, new look. In addition, we improved and expanded upon an interactive map that allows users to view the presence and prevalence of various types of canine infectious diseases, including dog flu, in the United States.

Feeling good

Once all the updates were complete, staff veterinarians at Merck Animal Health signed off on the accuracy of the information, and the marketing team gave the green light to new visuals. The result? A canine health website we can all feel good about.