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Sydney’s sympathetic nature has always been part of her charm, but this time she’s acting a bit extreme - seemingly mimicking your aching muscles, hacking cough, and runny nose. Are you having some flu-induced hallucination or is Sydney sincerely as stuffed-up and sniffly as you are? It’s true: Dogs too get the flu. Their symptoms are similar to ours, including sneezing, listlessness, difficulty breathing, a loss of appetite, watery eyes, and fever. New Flu Virus for Dogs is Very Contagious Because the virus H3N8, commonly known as dog flu, is relatively new, few dogs have built up an immunity and nearly 100% of those exposed will be infected. With Canine Influenza spreading rapidly since 2004, dog flu is now present in 38 states and many owners are looking for a means of prevention. Some kennels and veterinary offices are making vaccines mandatory in the coming year. Yours may be one. This may seem a little extreme considering that the fatality rate due to dog flu is low - less than 8% - but complications can be dangerous and expensive to treat. It’s important to determine whether your dog is at risk and know what measures to take. Exposure Did Sidney get sick when she went out without her hat and scarf? After all, your mom drilled into your head that this is the way you can catch the flu or a cold. Dogs, like humans, catch the flu in winter from socializing during the festive season. But it’s not like Sydney donned a cute reindeer sweater and went party hopping. There are many ways that she could have caught the flu. If you were out of town for the holidays and had Sydney stay in a kennel, it’s possible that she came into contact with the virus there. Maybe she could have contracted it when you took her to be groomed. It could also easily have been her last vet visit where she probably encountered all sorts of germs from other dogs. Or maybe it was when she was wrestling with your neighbor’s dog. And what about that squeaky hotdog that is the envy of every dog in the park, you know the one that is passed from slobbery mouth to slobbery mouth? Another scenario could point to you. When you went to your friend’s home for dinner, in playing with her dog, you could have even brought the virus home with you. Although you cannot give Sydney your flu, you can carry the canine version from one dog to another on your coat, your pants and even your own hands, which you swore you washed well when you came home, but now you’re not certain. Anytime dogs are in contact with other dogs - either directly through socializing with each other or indirectly through people, surfaces, or toys - they are at risk of exposure. Risks and Prevention Most dogs will develop flu-like symptoms within five days of infection. In puppies, old dogs, and dogs with weakened immune systems, the symptoms may be more severe. Some dogs may show no symptoms but still have the ability to transmit the virus. Most recover fully when treated with antibiotics. How high is your dog’s risk of contracting H3N8? If you and your pup live out in the country and your idea of socializing on a Saturday night is going for a long hike in the woods, then you’re probably not at risk. But if you live in a city, or the suburbs, travel a lot, or have frequent play dates with Sandy, Sam, and Bailey, you may want to consider the new breed of doggy flu vaccine. Two initial shots cost somewhere between $35 and $60 and must be followed by annual boosters. The expense may save you the price of treating more costly complications such as a bacterial lung infection. Ask your veterinarian if Canine Influenza is a hazard in your region, consider your dog’s social life, and decide on the best course of action. Ivan’s Puppies has been breeding and training puppies for over 30 years. Our hard work has been paying off, as now we are proud to be breeding Bulldog litters with excellent quality, with little to no health problems and good temperaments. For English Bulldog Puppies, visit our website at www.BulldogsNewYork.com.
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