The Dog Flu Is Spreading Across The Country For The First Time In Years
By Admin on January 22, 2018
I recently took my dogs to the vet for their annual checkup. While we were there, our vet (shout to to Dr. Shawn Clemmer) mentioned a dog flu vaccination.
We decided not to get them done at the time, but I am changing my tune now. The illness is spreading quickly across the country and it is highly contagious.
Dr. Clemmer explained to us that the flu has been around for a while, but hasn’t really been seen in NorCal. But that has changed in the last few months.
Symptoms Of The Dog Flu
According to KCRA, over 50 cases have popped up in San Francisco in the past two weeks. Like the human flu, the virus is easily transferred. Eighty percent show symptoms like coughing, lethargy, fever, decrease appetite, and a running nose. Animals with the dog flu can even develop pneumonia.
How The Dog Flu Is Spread
Additionally, the virus is spread through barking, coughing, and sneezing. It is often spread through placed with multiple animals in close contact like groomers, kennels and day cares. The virus is not transferable to humans, but it is to dogs, cats and other animals.
Of course, if your pet shows these symptoms, you should take them to the vet. If left untreated, dog flu can be deadly. There is a vaccine available but it won’t 100% protect against the virus, which can be spread just by sniffing.
Some additional steps you can take to avoid infection are disinfecting leashes, toys, water bowls, any other items that come in contact with other dogs, and by washing your hands as soon as you arrive home.
