Canine Flu Symptoms, Treatment, and More: Experts Remind Dog Owner To Get Pets Vaccinated Now

Veterinarians across the United States have advised dog owners to vaccinate their canine companions due to the severity of this winter's flu season.

The Veterinary Emergency Group's medical director, Dr. Jess Fejes, described canine influenza as one of the infectious respiratory diseases observed in dogs.

Canine Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of canine influenza are coughing, sneezing, eye and nose discharge, fever, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. There are limited treatment options for infected dogs, but a preventative vaccine is available. Although it is not a standard vaccination for puppies, dogs at risk of contracting the flu can receive it from their veterinarian.

DogFlu.com displays a map of dog influenza outbreaks throughout the United States, including recent outbreaks in nine states, such as New York, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

Veterinarians are now discussing influenza vaccinations with dog owners. According to experts, not every dog needs the vaccine, but social dogs should be vaccinated.

If dog owners choose not to vaccinate their dogs, there are still ways to keep your dog safe during flu season. The viruses spread through the air, making dog parks and other places where dogs congregate hazardous for man's best friend.

Droplets or aerosols containing respiratory secretions from coughing, barking, and sneezing transmit canine influenza. In close quarters with infected dogs, such as kennels, groomers, daycare facilities, and shelters, the risk of infection increases for dogs.

As explained by the American Veterinary Medical Association. "Canine influenza can be transmitted indirectly by objects (e.g., kennels, food, and water bowls, collars and leashes) or by people who have had contact with infected dogs.

An influenza vaccine will cost between $25 and $35, according to one Florida veterinary office.

Always be on the lookout for warning signs as a dog owner. If your dog stops eating or is having trouble breathing, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Vaccinating your dog against canine influenza may not completely prevent infection, but it may lessen the severity and duration of the illness, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, as per Fox News.

Dog Flu Vaccine

There are three vaccines for canine influenza: one for protection against H3N8, one for protection against H2N2, and a bivalent vaccine that offers broader protection.

Vaccines do not necessarily prevent infection, but they reduce the severity of symptoms, shorten the duration of the disease, reduce the amount of time dogs are contagious, and most importantly, protect against more severe complications such as pneumonia.

Veterinarians who spoke with The Post recommend the vaccinations, especially for dogs that interact with other canines.

According to veterinarians, the two-dose vaccines are administered two to four weeks apart and require annual boosters to maintain protective immunity. While the initial vaccine series takes four to six weeks to achieve maximum protection, veterinarians recommend beginning the process now to give your dog at least some protection before the holidays, particularly if you plan to kennel your dog, The Washington Post via MSN reported.