What Is the Risk of My Dog Contracting the Flu?
Flu season can be a stressful time for pet parents. While most of us are concerned about our own health and safety during this time, it’s possible for our pets to contract the flu as well. So, what is the risk that your dog can get the flu and how can you protect them?
The good news is that canine influenza is relatively rare—it isn’t even seen in every country. The bad news is that when it does occur, it can spread rapidly through contact with other infected dogs. Canine influenza was first identified in 2004 and since then outbreaks have been reported around the United States, mostly in areas where people frequently travel with their pets (such as boarding facilities and dog shows).
Cases of canine influenza virus have been documented in over 40 states so far, so areas previously thought to be safe may no longer be exempt from this virus. Dogs who frequent places with high numbers of other dogs such as pet stores, parks, kennels, daycare centers or shelters are also at greater risk than those who stay home alone all day long.
Fortunately, most cases result in only mild symptoms such as low-grade fever and a cough that lasts up to 3 weeks; however there are rare instances where severe lung disease develops. If your dog has been exposed to an infected animal or if he has discussed signs associated with canine influenza (fever, coughing), contact your veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment. Your vet may also recommend vaccinating your pet against this virus if they haven’t already done so.
Overall, your risk of having your pet contract canine influenza virus is quite low; however it’s important to remain vigilant by watching out for signs of illness and avoiding contact between your pup and any others if possible. If you do notice anything unusual, please contact your veterinarian right away for advice on how best to protect their health!
Tips for Keeping Your Dog From Getting the Flu
The flu season can be a worrisome time for pet owners, as the Fluzone vaccine does not provide protection for dogs. While there is no guaranteed way to keep your pup from getting the flu, there are some tips and strategies you can use to reduce the chances of your pup becoming ill.
To start off, it’s important to give your dog regular baths and grooming sessions. This will help keep their fur clean and free from any germs that may enter through contact with other animals or people. Additionally, keeping good sanitation around your home is key – daily mopping and dusting will help minimize the spread of airborne germs and viruses.
Another great tip for reducing the risk of flu in your pup is providing regular exercise outdoors – take them for walks in open spaces with plenty of fresh air such as beaches or parks (on leash) . It’s best to avoid crowded areas where more germs may be present, like pet stores or veterinarian’s offices. Furthermore if you choose to board or send your dog somewhere to be groomed make sure they are using certified disinfectants between each animal receiving services!.
If a guest in your home has been recently sick, keep interaction between that person and your puppy limited – this means it’s best not to let them sleep together or have too much skin-to-skin contact such as playing fetch at close distances until they have fully recovered and are cleared by a doctor that all signs of sickness have ceased completely.. Last but definitely not least – it’s also important to start getting into the habit of vaccinating against lyme disease twice yearly! This precautionary measure coupled with proper hygiene should significantly decrease your pup’s chances at catching influenza!
Vaccinating Your Dog Against the Flu
Dog vaccinations are an important part of keeping your pup healthy and safe. While there is no vaccine to prevent the common cold in dogs, the United States has seen an increase in the number of dog flu cases over the past decade. In response, a new canine influenza vaccine is available to help protect your pup from this potentially deadly virus.
The virus known as “canine influenza” or “dog flu” is a highly contagious one that affects dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It is caused by two different kinds of canine influenza viruses–the H3N2 strain and the H3N8 strain. Both strains can cause similar symptoms in affected dogs including coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, fever and lethargy. The most serious cases unfortunately can develop pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Fortunately, there are now two different vaccines available for pet parents looking to keep their pups safe from this dangerous illness: a bivalent vaccine (to protect against both H3N2 and H3N8) or a monovalent vaccine (to protect against only one strain). Your veterinarian will be able to give you advice on which type of vaccine would be best for your pup based on your specific situation.
It’s important to remember that getting your pooch vaccinated won’t guarantee they won’t get sick if exposed to either or both strains, but it will help their body fight off the virus before it has time to spread throughout their system dramatically reducing its severity if contracted. Additionally, vaccinating your pet also helps prevent them from spreading the virus further throughout any population of unvaccinated animals they may come into contact with–which can have especially grave consequences in older populations or those containing young puppies with weaker immune systems.
For maximum protection against these contagious viruses and other diseases like rabies or parvovirus make sure you take advantage of all recommended vaccinations suggested by your veterinarian for optimal health for years to come!
Symptoms to Watch Out For That Could Indicate Your Pet Has the Flu
The vast majority of us are all too familiar with the symptoms associated with the flu. Aches, pains, coughing, congestion and fatigue can knock even the healthiest of humans down for days. But what most may not know is that your pet is just as susceptible to coming down with the flu — and it’s important to be aware of those signs pointing toward illness in order to get them treated quickly. Below we outline five common warning signs indicating a pet could have their own case of the flu bug.
1. Coughing: Just like us, pets who are stricken by influenza-A will show signs of coughing. It might be dry or productive — meaning there’s hacking that comes up with mucus from the lungs —but either way it’s something that shouldn’t be ignored and should result in an immediate evaluation by a veterinarian who can confirm if an infection actually exists or if another respiratory condition has caused this symptom (which can occur in pets, too).
2. Loss of appetite: Generally speaking, any marked changes in eating behavior warrant closer inspection and diagnosis by a vet —especially if they seem to come out of nowhere, which could signal a potential underlying health issue or virus such as influenza-A. If this happens to your furry friend then be sure you don’t force them to eat – instead call your vet right away so they can perform an examination.
3. High fever: While temperatures differ among species due to their physiological makeup and size, elevated body temperature above normal thresholds (like over 103 F) merit medical attention which involves looking into whether there’s an infection causing the temperature uptick or some other condition is causing their temperature elevation like dehydration or poisoning – yes many animals suffer from both!
4. Lethargy: Flu often results in feelings of exhaustion due to being ill combined with difficulty breathing (due to respiratory system inflammation). So watch for any slow movements around the house coupled with depression or listlessness which could indicate something else going on than just “the blues”. Its time for a trip/call to your vet!
5. Eye/Nose discharge: Excess watery eye discharge often accompanied by nasal discharge is another classic symptom associated with canine influenzas like H3N2 so keep an eye out for these two indicators together if you suspect your pet might be coming down with something more serious than the sniffles (focus on color too as greenish yellow suggests infection versus clear drainage being more indicative of allergies). If either persist longer than one day then make sure you seek veterinary care ASAP!
The bottom line is that our beloved four footed family members require special consideration when it comes to illnesses that might arise- especially ones we think are just minor colds but turn out much worse! By keeping these key warning signs top-of-mind you will ensure both yourself and your pup stay happy, healthy…and virus free!
Treatment Options for Dogs Infected With the Flu
When a dog is infected with the flu, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. This is because canine influenza can spread quickly and cause severe respiratory illness in dogs if not treated. Fortunately, there are several different treatment options available for dogs with the flu.
The most common option is to administer antiviral medications. These medications work by interfering with virus replication, thus helping to stop the infection from worsening. Depending on the severity of infection, your veterinarian may suggest an oral medication or injectable form that should be continued for 10 to 14 days. To minimize side effects and ensure optimal response, it’s important to give these medications at exactly the same time each day and often follow up with supportive care such as intravenous or subcutaneous fluids if needed.
In addition to antiviral medications, antibiotics may also be prescribed if the dog has developed secondary bacterial infections due to the flu. Cough suppressants are also often used in combination with other treatments for more difficult-to-control coughs caused by canine influenza virus infections. If your pet is having difficulty breathing due to inflammation in their lungs, your veterinarian may recommend corticosteroids (steroid hormones) which help reduce inflammation caused by chronic conditions like asthma and certain allergic reactions.
Finally, keeping a sick pup comfortable during recovery from canine influenza will help them heal faster and improve their quality of life during this rough time! If your pup has a fever over 104⁰F or they’re having trouble eating or drinking due to disturbing symptoms like coughing or vomiting then pain relievers (analgesics) may be prescribed too support their comfort level while healing takes place. It’s also important to keep them hydrated and encourage gentle exercise when they feel up for it as that can help boost circulation while recovering from infectious diseases like the flu in dogs!
FAQs About Protecting Your Dog from the Flu
Q. Is canine flu contagious?
A. Yes, canine flu is highly contagious and can spread quickly through contact with an infected dog or contaminated objects such as shared food and water bowls or leashes. Dog owners should be aware of the signs and symptoms of canine flu and take prompt measures to prevent their dogs from coming into contact with any potentially infected dogs.
Q. Are all dogs susceptible to canine flu?
A. All healthy dogs are susceptible to dog flu, regardless of age, breed or previous exposure to the virus (even vaccinated ones). Dogs that have been recently transferred from a shelter or rescue group are also at greater risk of infection due to potential exposure in these environments so extra caution should be taken at this time.
Q. What can I do to protect my dog from getting the flu?
A. Following basic hygiene principles like keeping your pet’s environment clean, utilizing appropriate vaccines if available and minimizing contact with other animals are all great ways to help protect your pup from catching the canine flu virus! Additionally, consider speaking with your veterinarian about additional steps you can take such as vaccinating your pet against certain strains of the virus and using special fluoride treatments like Duravet Profluox if recommended by your vet. Proper social distancing is also important – keep your pup away from other animals when possible and pay attention for warning signs like coughing, sneezing or nasal discharge which could signal that another animal may be sick!
