Puppy laying on couch with sad face   Credit: Oscar Wong / GETTY IMAGES



Puppy laying on couch with sad face   Credit: Oscar Wong / GETTY IMAGES

Puppy laying on couch with sad face Credit: Oscar Wong / GETTY IMAGES

Puppy laying on couch with sad face

Credit: Oscar Wong / GETTY IMAGES

Since we’re experiencing the worst flu season in over a decade, you’ve likely taken a few precautions to keep the illness at bay. But have those measures extended to your dog? According to a recent report by The New York Times, a number of dogs have been infected with H3N2, a highly contagious strain of canine influenza.

Also known as the dog flu, canine influenza is a respiratory disease caused by specific Type A influenza viruses known to infect dogs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, canine influenza is believed to pose a low threat to people; there is currently no evidence that the disease can spread to humans.

For our four-legged friends, however, canine flu can spread rapidly. The illness is thought to be transmitted among dogs through respiratory droplets produced during coughing and sneezing from infected canines or through contact with contaminated surfaces. If your dog is coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease, they shouldn’t be exposed to other animals, notes the CDC.

Although your pup can contract canine influenza at any time, the recent uptick in cases is believed to be largely caused by a recent shift in behaviors among Americans. Previously emptied shelters are full again and more dogs are spending time together in kennels and day care, the New York Times cites as possible reasons for the surge.

Experts are encouraging dog owners to be on the lookout for symptoms associated with the respiratory illness, which can last anywhere from two to three weeks. Common symptoms include a persistent cough, thick nasal discharge, and a fever (often between 104 to 105 degrees), notes the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite may also be present in infected canines.

While there is a vaccine to treat the illness in dogs, it’s not 100% effective, reports USA Today. On the other hand, it can help prevent your companion from contracting the flu and possibly limit the severity of their symptoms.

Beyond vaccination, dog owners can help prevent the spread of canine flu by isolating sick dogs and practicing good hygiene and sanitation. The AVMA recommends thoroughly cleaning shared items and kennels to reduce the transmission of the illness—and it certainly can’t hurt to wipe down your pup’s toys and crates regularly, too.