Humans are not the only ones suffering from this winter’s extreme flu season, with veterinarians across the U.S. advising dog owners to get their furry friends vaccinated.
“Canine flu is one of the infectious respiratory things that we can see in dogs,” Dr. Jess Fejes, medical director at the Veterinary Emergency Group, told Fox 29.
Canine flu symptoms include coughing, sneezing, eye and nose discharge, fever, lethargy and trouble breathing. While there are limited treatment options after a dog becomes infected, there is a preventative vaccine. While it is not a core puppy vaccine, dogs that are at risk for catching the flu virus can receive it from their vet.
DogFlu.com shows a map of dog influenza outbreaks across the U.S., including recent outbreaks in nine states, including New York, Texas, Florida, South Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Vets are now having the flu shot discussion with dog owners. They say not every dog needs the vaccine, but if a dog is social, it’s something an owner should consider.
“It’s going to be somewhat specific, based on region and what they are exposed to, but, generally, dogs exposed to a lot of other dogs, dogs in doggie day care, boarding, things like that,” Dr. Fejes explained.
If pet owners choose to keep their dog unvaccinated, there are still ways to ensure that your pooch stays safe this flu season. The viruses spread through the air, so places where dogs congregate, like dog parks, can be risky for man’s best friend.
“Canine influenza is transmitted through droplets or aerosols containing respiratory secretions from coughing, barking and sneezing. Dogs in close contact with infected dogs in places such as kennels, groomers, day care facilities and shelters are at increased risk of infection.” the American Veterinary Medical Association explained. “Canine influenza can be spread indirectly through objects (e.g., kennels, food and water bowls, collars and leashes) or people that have been in contact with infected dogs.”
According to one veterinary office in Florida, an influenza vaccine will only cost between $25 and $35.
Dog owners should always be on the lookout for warning signs. If your dog stops eating or has difficulty breathing, contact your veterinarian. Getting your dog vaccinated for canine influenza may not prevent infection altogether, but it may reduce the severity and duration of the illness, the American Veterinary Medical Association advised.
This is such bullshit. The flu has been around for decades and just now it becomes a problem? My instincts is this is nefarious. I have had many many dogs in my 62 years and have never had a dog with the flu or any respiratory illness.
they are killing dogs in China also. Don’t buy this BS.
Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. is now pushing health insurance for our pets on TV and now pushing vaccines for our pets. I guess the Insurance companies and Big Pharma are looking for new ways to steal our money. DO NOT purchase health insurance for your pets because Big Pharma, insurance companies and the Medical Association collude with each other to set pricing for services and NO ONE will be able to afford to take their pers to the vet.
Now they want to start killing our beloved pets ,with their history of creative lab viruses and vaccines in cooperation with their satanic communist Antichrist demonic government, agencies viruses, in this country. they’re not happy with their communist lab created viruses and vaccines killing our families, this is pure N.W.O. demonic and satanic Behavior from these demons trying to destroy our country Humanity & everything godly, moral and constitutional , are they going to mandate these pet vaccines for euthanasia for our animals too like they killed so many people across this Earth , people have the right of choice fight back, resist, and make them pay for their demonic attempts at destroying any happiness left in this world, demons are destroying the whole world by a satanic
agenda government right now ,and this is what they do ,destroy anything that brings us pleasure and happiness. If the scumbags weren’t in Laboratories trying to kill humans by mixing viruses from different animals our dogs wouldn’t be infected or in danger, they’re trying to make the next hysteria virus more effective and kill more people and other life forms than they have already, fight against the Antichrist Laboratories of death even for our beloved pets