Canine Influenza on the Rise: What you can do to protect your pup!

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THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.bregmanvetgroup.com

Canine influenza is on the rise! Recent outbreaks of dog flu in the New York metropolitan area and San Antonio, Texas, the epidemic is escalating.

The virus, known as H3N8 is endemic in several states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado. Like the virus that causes the flu in humans, the dog flu virus is very easily spread and highly contagious (ABCNews.com).

“The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that dogs that are in frequent contact with other dogs be vaccinated against canine influenza to help prevent the spread,” (ABCNews.com).

Dr. Cynda Crawford, clinical assistant professor in shelter medicine at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine told ABC News “this is a very mobile virus, and we live in a highly mobile society that contributes to the spread of influenza, which means it can go from one community to another simply by travel of infected dogs that are still contagious.”

Symptoms of dog influenza are similar to those in humans, with coughing, nasal discharge, a low-grade fever and sneezing. Dr. Edward Dubovi, director of the virology laboratory at the Animal Heath Diagnostic enter at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine said the problem you face with dog influenza is “secondary bacterial pneumonia,” (ABCNews.com).

Dogs that boards, go to day care, are in shelters or that travel to areas of the country where canine influenza is circulating are at higher risk for dog influenza. In addition, people are one of the biggest transmitters of canine influenza. Those who work with dogs may unknowingly transmit the virus to their own dogs.

If you want a proactive strategy to this very unpredictable virus, get your dog vaccinated.

The Bregman Vet Group offers canine flu shots. Schedule an appointment today. For more information, visit BregmanVetGroup.com.