Oklahoma Vet Warns Pet Owners About Spread Of Dog Flu

There’s been latest outbreaks of canine influenza, often called the canine flu, that may influence pets. 

The virus has related signs to the flu that people can contract, nevertheless it’s not transmissible between canine and people. 

There are two recognized strains within the United States, H3N8 and H3N2. Most unvaccinated canine are inclined to an infection with each viruses.

Dr. Shara Carlton on the OKC Vet Campus mentioned whereas they have not seen any instances at her clinic, she does advocate the vaccine for any canine that stay a social life-style.

“If you’re gonna protect your dog and it’s gonna go out in the world and see its friends, then I would do the vaccination,” Dr. Carlton said.

The vaccine is a two-shot dosage, with an annual booster. Dr. Carlton said it’s a “lifestyle vaccine,” so if a dog is typically at home and not around other dogs, she said they may not need the vaccination.

Canine influenza is most commonly spread through direct contact, either by coughing, sneezing or barking. 

“Dogs that are playing with each other at the dog park or they’re at doggie daycare, or in boarding facility,” Dr. Carlton said.

The virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, so a dog can also contract canine influenza at the dog park, doggie daycare or boarding facilities, even without direct contact with an infected dog.

“So a dog can go to the dog park, bark all over everything, and then your dog comes and smells it, licks it, so now he has been exposed to those aerosol droplets without direct exposure,” Dr. Carlton said.

While there’s not a “dog flu season” like there is in the flu that human’s contract, Dr. Carlton said that people can expect outbreaks associated with human lifestyle. 

She said more people board their dogs between November and January because of the holidays, along with April during spring break, and that can begin an outbreak. 

The virus usually presents as a cough, similar to kennel cough, but then worsens, and the dog may develop a runny nose, nasal discharge, sneezing and a fever.

“It is going to be a little bit more severe than your typical kennel cough,” Dr. Carlton said.

Dr. Carlton said if a dog does present any symptoms, it’s best to keep them isolated from other dogs for at least five to seven days and said symptoms will typically present in that time period.

“It’s the same type of thing we did with Covid, we started washing our hands. We were very conscious of disease transmission so it’s the same type of protection that we want to do for our pets making sure we don’t expose animals that otherwise would not have.”

She mentioned the very best plan of motion if somebody is uncertain of signs, or if a canine could have contracted canine influenza, is to convey them into the vet. 

She mentioned it is essential to not give a canine over-the-counter medication similar to cough syrup or a decongestant, with out consulting a health care provider, as these might be very harmful in your pets.

“Don’t begin utilizing over-the-counter drugs with out taking your canine to the vet as a result of you may make some severe errors,” Dr. Carlton mentioned.

Treatment often entails supportive care, which can embody supplemental oxygen, fluids, bronchodilators, and/or antibiotics (if secondary bacterial infections are suspected within the affected person).