Important Tips on Preventing Dog Flu

Canine influenza virus, more commonly known as dog flu, can cause unpleasant symptoms that make dogs miserable. In rare cases, dogs can develop life-threatening complications from this contagious illness. Keep the following tips on preventing dog flu in mind to reduce your dog’s risk of becoming ill.

Avoid Other Dogs

Your dog can easily get canine influenza from other dogs when they bark, cough or sneeze. Touching contaminated surfaces that infected dogs have been in contact with also puts your dog at risk. To reduce the risk of dog flu, keep your dog away from other dogs if there’s been a flu outbreak in your area. Keep in mind that your dog’s risk of getting sick is higher in dog daycare and boarding facilities and other places that a lot of dogs go to.

Vaccinate Your Dog

One of the most effective ways of preventing dog flu is having your dog vaccinated against it. Just remember that your dog is at risk of getting sick when you go to the vet’s office if there’s an outbreak in your area. If you have more than one dog or if your dog will be going to a boarding kennel or similar place that has a lot of dogs, being vaccinated might be worth this risk.

Wash Your Hands

You can do your part in preventing dog flu by washing your hands after you’ve been petting or touching other dogs. Since you might not know if those dogs are infected, it’s important to take this precaution to lower your dog’s risk of becoming ill. You should also change your clothes to reduce this risk even more.

Clean Surfaces

Canine influenza lives on surfaces for a couple of days, which puts your dog at risk of getting sick. You can lower the risk of dog flu by disinfecting hard surfaces throughout your home, especially ones that your dog uses, such as dog toys and food dishes.

If your dog ends up showing signs of dog flu, even when you’ve taken precautions, make sure you see your vet. This lowers the risk of complications and ensures proper treatment.

What You Should Know About Flu Season for Dogs

Flu season for humans begins in fall and ends in spring, but dogs are having their own flu season this summer. Flu season for dogs has brought outbreaks in several states, including Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas. Learn more about this illness, so you can keep your dog safe especially when boarding or sending your dog to daycare!

The Spread of Dog Flu

Dog flu started in Chicago, then spread to other states in the Midwest and Southeast. Experts state that the current strain that’s causing so many problems is more contagious than earlier strains that were around in 2004. Where did the flu come from? Some experts blame well-meaning rescuers who are bringing potentially infected dogs in from Asia, which appears to be the cause of dog flu cases that hit the Los Angeles area in March. Although dog flu can’t affect humans, it’s highly contagious and can be life-threatening for dogs. In fact, there have been two fatalities in North Carolina so far.

High-Risk Environments

During flu season for dogs, it’s important for dog owners to avoid having their dog in certain environments, especially if their dogs haven’t been vaccinated or if they have weakened immune systems due to medical conditions. High-risk places include dog parks, kennels and even the vet’s office, since several dogs are in these areas on a regular basis. Dogs spread flu germs when they sneeze, cough and bark, making it easier for other dogs to become infected.

Dog Flu Vaccinations

Dog owners can reduce the risk of having their dogs get the flu by having them vaccinated. These vaccinations are roughly 60 to 80 percent successful at preventing dog flu. If dogs do get sick from this virus, their symptoms are usually much milder. If you’re in an area that has an outbreak, especially if your dog will be in any high-risk environments, ask your vet about dog flu vaccinations. Keep in mind that your vet might warn you about the risk of your dog getting sick by being at the vet’s office. If possible, wait outdoors or in your car rather than the waiting room at the office.

Dog Flu Symptoms to Watch For

The flu doesn’t just affect people. Dogs can also get what’s known as the canine influenza virus. Although it’s usually not serious, some dogs can get very ill when they get this virus. Learn more about what symptoms to watch for, so you can make sure your pup gets prompt veterinary care.

What Is the Canine Influenza Virus?

This is a contagious virus that affects the respiratory system. The U.S. has two strains of it, which are H3N8 and H3N2. Dogs spread this illness when they cough, sneeze or bark, since these actions cause germs to enter the air. Dogs can also get this virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. Dogs are more likely to get dog flu in crowded places, such as boarding kennels. Dogs can be contagious from 10 to 26 days, depending on which strain they have.

Dog Flu Symptoms

Your dog can be infected without showing any signs of symptoms of this illness. When dog flu symptoms do appear, they are typically the following:

• Dry or phlegmy cough
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Lack of energy
• Trouble breathing

When to Seek Veterinary Care

Dog flu symptoms can be mild ones that don’t cause your dog too much trouble, but it’s also possible for dog flu to cause serious symptoms that need immediate care. If your dog is lethargic, has severe breathing problems or runs a high fever, seek emergency care at the nearest animal hospital. Dogs can develop pneumonia when they have dog flu, which can be fatal in some cases. If your dog has mild symptoms, you should still make an appointment with your vet for treatment.

Keep in mind that treatment for dog flu usually involves making sure your dog is comfortable and has plenty of fluids while the virus runs its course. Your dog might also need antibiotics if any secondary infections have developed. Your vet will let you know what kinds of treatment are best for your dog, depending on the severity of flu symptoms and your dog’s age.