If you have a dog, you probably treat him like family and want to keep him healthy.
Most pet owners do the right thing and get their dogs vaccinated for common canine diseases while they are still puppies. This is the best way to ensure that you dog has a happy and healthy life. But there is a new threat going around, and it can sometimes be hard to spot.
Dog flu is a real disease, and it has been popping up all over the country.
It is similar to the flu that humans contract, and it affects dogs in many of the same ways. There are many different strains of dog flu. Although it can affect any breed of dog, it can’t be passed to humans. Just like the human version of the flu, it has to pass, and in some cases, it can be fatal.
The only way to find out if your dog has the flu is to get him tested for it at the vet.
Some of the symptoms of dog flu include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, and nasal discharge. If your dog has any of these symptoms, take him to the vet for the proper diagnosis and treatment.
The dog flu is a fairly new illness that likely mutated from other strains of the flu.
However, it has spread to many new areas lately, and it seems to be endemic in some. Dr. Kyle Frandle, a veterinarian at Los Gatos Dog & Cat Hospital in California, said:
“They were first recognized in greyhounds around 2003, and they’ve since been diagnosed in over 36 states. Experts feel dog flu is now endemic in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Florida, and now here in California. There’s some controversy over where it originates from; some experts think it came from horse influenza and some think from avian influenza.”
The canine flu should be taken seriously.
It has a mortality rate of 10 percent if not treated, and it is highly contagious. Many pet owners are scared that their beloved dogs will contract this flu, and veterinarian offices are starting to become flooded with nervous dog owners. Some experts think that some vets and pet owners are making too big a deal of the illness.
According to Dr. Mark Kummer of Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital in Washington state, there is no reason to panic.
“There has been no serious increase in flu cases on the West Coast, and no confirmed cases reported in Washington for over two years.”
There have been many cases popping up in other states.
Ohio veterinarians have started seeing an alarming number of dogs suffering from the dog flu. Many vets are even requesting that pet owners check for these symptoms and avoid bringing their dog in if it has any of them. This can help stop the spread of the disease. In fact, these vets are suggesting that dog owners keep their pets away from other dogs as much as possible. Until flu season is over, they should not be taken to kennels, groomers, dog parks, or play centers.
All a dog has to do to become infected is breathe in the infected air.
The canine flu is spread through droplets in the air. It can live on surfaces for 48 hours. Dogs may be sick and not even show any symptoms. Luckily, most dogs recover from the illness quickly.
Sick dogs need to be quarantined and given the proper food and water. Dehydration is always a concern, so they must be given plenty of fluids. If they are refusing to drink, they might need to be admitted to the veterinary hospital. They should also be checked for secondary infections that often come after or during the flu, due to a weakened immune system.
There are also flu vaccines available, but they do not protect against every strain.
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