It’s not just humans getting hit with the sniffles this winter. A rapid increase in the number of documented cases of canine influenza, or doggie flu, has been a cause for concern among veterinarians and owners recently in the United States.
According to Merck Animal Health USA, since December, new cases of canine influenza have appeared in California, Colorado, D.C., Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.
The Today Show spoke to veterinarian Dr. Cynda Crawford, who is a clinical assistant professor of shelter medicine at the University of Florida, and Dr. Edward Dubovi, a virologist who served as the director of a veterinary virology unit at Cornell University for 38 years. Both offered advice and tips on how to learn more about the contagious respiratory disease and best practices for prevention and treatment of Canine Influenza.
THE SYMPTOMS OF DOG FLU:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signs of canine influenza include cough, runny nose, and fever. Crawford noted that other symptoms such as fatigue, eye discharge, and reduced appetite could be also signs that your dog might have influenza as well.
While it might be easy brush off what appears to be cold symptoms in dogs, when it comes to canine influenza, taking signs seriously early on is crucial. Being able to identify symptoms and taking swift action to seek treatment can help your dog from worsening and can keep the disease from spreading to other dogs.
Most dogs that come down with canine influenza will suffer the typical flu symptoms mentioned above, which can persist for up to 21 days, though some dogs may have asymptomatic infections, according to the AVMA. But in some cases, canine influenza will progress to pneumonia, similar to when people get the flu and should be treated with the same care.
Here are some tips to treat, and hopefully prevent your pooch from getting sick –
-Carla Rea
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How can you prevent your dog from getting Canine Influenza?
If your dog goes with you to stores, attends doggy day care or obedience classes, and spends time at dog parks — look into whether or not canine influenza is circulating in or near your community. According to the American Kennel Club, vaccines are available for the two known strains (H3N8 and H3N2) of canine influenza, and dogs can now receive a single vaccination to prevent both. Vaccines take three to four weeks to provide immunity, and dogs will need a booster shot two weeks after receiving the first vaccine.
Is dog flu contagious to humans?
Canine influenza is highly contagious, but no human infections with canine influenza have ever been reported. However, it has infected cats. There an incident in which the flu broke out at a shelter among its dogs and caused respiratory illness in the cats.
Are there tests available for canine influenza?
Yes, tests are available to confirm if your dog has H3N8 and H3N2 canine influenza virus infection. If you’re concerned that your dog may have been exposed, might be ill and are aware that an outbreak has happened in your community, call your veterinarian to find out if testing should be done and how to proceed. Also, if you need to take your dog to a vet or clinic, keep in mind that canine influenza is easily spread, and bringing infected dogs into a clinic could spread the disease more. If given a heads-up, veterinarians can prepare the clinic by clearing visiting dogs from the path of an infected dog, or can arrange to meet and treat a dog in their home or in the parking lot of a veterinary center.
Should you take your dog to the Vet if you think they have the flu?
If you need to take your dog to a vet or clinic, keep in mind that canine influenza is easily spread, and bringing infected dogs into a clinic could spread the disease more. When given a heads-up, veterinarians can prepare a clinic by clearing visiting dogs from the path of an infected dog or can arrange to meet and treat a dog in their home or in the parking lot of a veterinary center.
How do you treat a dog with the flu?
If your dog has canine influenza, the CDC says that treatment will largely involve supportive care. Break out the water and pillows to help keep your pooch hydrated and comfortable. If the flu has progressed to pneumonia, dogs may be required to stay in the hospital to receive IV fluids, antibiotics, and in some cases, oxygen therapy. Dogs infected with the flu should be restricted to in-home isolation for at least three weeks and notes that a “dog may recover and look healthy again after two weeks, but it’s contagious for at least three weeks.”
