Certain parts of the US are seeing a significant uptick in the number of pet dogs coming down with the flu. Although it is not contagious to people, or life-threatening to dogs, it is still a concern to pet owners in Arkansas, Florida and North and South Carolina, where the epidemic is at its worst.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association as much as 80% of dogs that are exposed to canine flu catch it themselves, making it hard to control once it is in the environment. Of course, the worst places are where dogs are kept close together, such as in shelters or boarding facilities.
Symptoms of dog flu are like that of human flu: sneezing, runny nose, and frequent coughing are probable signs your doggie is infected. Owners can expect their pets to recover within a few days to a week. Very rarely the illness turns life-threatening, and that is usually only in the severest cases or when another infection develops later.
The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine advises owners to call the vet before taking your dog in for treatment if he exhibits any of the above symptoms. Your dog is still contagious, and bringing him unnecessarily to the vet’s office could expose otherwise healthy dogs to the flu. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests keeping your dog away from other dogs for at least three weeks until there is no chance of passing on the virus.
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