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Dog Flu
Word of a flu strain previously found only in horses infecting racing greyhounds and some family dogs may cause alarm, but the strain appears harmless to humans and nonfatal for most dogs.
Researchers are not sure when or how the flu strain known as H3N8 made its way from horses to dogs
Although it is rare for an equine flu to jump species, it is not uncommon for flu strains to morph into a strain that can affect another species.
The mortality rate for this flu appears to be relatively low for dogs -- about 5% to 8% -- and it may get lower still as time goes by.
About 20% of dogs who become infected do not even get sick, although they can still be carriers.
Most dogs who contract it -- about 80% -- develop a mild form of the illness. They experience something akin to kennel cough --
a rarely serious respiratory illness that clears up within a couple of weeks.
Your best bet as a concerned pet owner is to monitor your dog’s health closely and if your dog develops symptoms such as
coughing, a low-grade fever, or nasal discharge, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
For most dogs, the flu may just need to run its course. However, a visit with the vet can help you identify how serious your pet’s symptoms are.
A vet also can prescribe medications to make your dog more comfortable during recovery.
If your dog is infected, keep your pet isolated from other dogs until he or she is back to good health -- a couple of weeks or so should be sufficient --
to avoid passing the illness on to other dogs
Other dogs also could become infected from contaminated objects or even by you, so take appropriate precautions if you’re dealing with a sick pup.
A watchful eye and an appropriate response to symptoms are the best ways to protect your pet not only from contagious illnesses,
but also from a host of other health ills a dog might experience.
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