What is canine influenza?

Canine influenza , or dog flu, is an influenza A virus that has adapted to dogs. There are two subtypes, H3N8 and H3N2, which have been the predominant strain in the United States since 2015. As in humans, the virus causes respiratory illness in dogs and, in rare cases, death, “although most healthy dogs will recover with supportive care,” said Deborah Silverstein, a professor of critical care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She explained that some dogs that get the flu will also develop other bacterial or viral infections, known as “canine infectious respiratory disease complex.” “This has recently emerged in Oklahoma, Texas and into the Carolinas and caused a severe and deadly disease outbreak in dogs,” Silverstein wrote in an email. She added that because many homeless dogs are brought to these states for adoption, “we must be on the lookout to identify these animals and prevent a widespread outbreak.”

How contagious is dog flu?

Canine influenza is highly contagious among dogs and can spread rapidly in environments where they are in proximity with each other, such as dog parks, daycare centers, grooming facilities, boarding facilities, animal shelters and veterinary hospitals. Dogs can be contagious for up three to four weeks, veterinarians said. It is spread through respiratory droplets from direct nose-to-nose contact or from coughing or sneezing, which creates aerosol droplets that can linger in the air or land on surfaces where they can survive for hours, said Lori Teller, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Teller said an infected dog could, for example, spread the virus at dog park, and then a dog that comes along hours later could contract it. “Dogs use their noses and mouths for everything,” she said. “That is how they greet each other and that is how they interact with people . So it is very easy for their respiratory secretions to be spread, and the virus can live in the environment for up to 48 hours.” In addition, most dogs do not have preexisting immunity to canine influenza, which makes them susceptible to the highly contagious virus, leading to outbreaks in these types of crowded settings, said Cynda Crawford, a clinical associate professor in shelter medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida who led the team that discovered the canine influenza virus in 2004.

Can dog flu spread to humans or cats?

There is no evidence the virus is contagious to humans , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cats can get it, but it is rare, and the cases are typically mild.

What are symptoms of canine influenza?

Because canine flu shares symptoms with other respiratory illnesses, the only way to know for certain whether your dog has it is to get your dog tested at a veterinary clinic or hospital. Symptoms, which typically appear two to five days after exposure, include fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, lethargy and loss of appetite. Most dogs will recover in a couple weeks, though the cough may last longer, veterinarians said. Some dogs, notably those that are very young or very old and those with compromised immune systems, are at higher risk of developing complications, including pneumonia. Those that develop more serious symptoms such as a high fever, breathing difficulties or coughing that brings up blood may need emergency medical attention. In such cases, contact your veterinarian or animal hospital for guidance.

What can I do if I suspect my dog has it?

For most dogs, cases will be mild and require only TLC at home. If you have other dogs in the home, try to isolate the sick dog in a separate room, and do not let that dog share bowls, beds or toys with the others. Then just give your dog some time to rest and recover, veterinarians said. If your dog has tested positive, do not take your dog to public places where there may be other dogs for three to four weeks, even if your dog is no longer symptomatic, Crawford said. If symptoms are interfering with your dog’s ability to eat or sleep, or if your dog develops more concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian. Do not show up at a veterinary clinic or animal hospital without calling first. To protect other dogs from potential exposure, the veterinarian may want to examine your dog in your car or have you use a separate entrance leading to an isolated area inside the facility.

Is there a cure for canine influenza?

Although there is no cure for canine flu, there are certain medications that your veterinarian can prescribe to make your dog more comfortable, such as pain relievers, cough suppressants and appetite stimulants, said Teller, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “But do not use human medications, including over-the-counter medications, to treat your dog because some of those can be toxic to the point of being potentially fatal,” she said.

Is there a vaccine available for it?

There are actually three vaccines for canine flu: one to protect against H3N8, one to protect against H3N2 and a bivalent vaccine, which provides broader protection, said Crawford, who worked with a pharmaceutical company to create a vaccine. Although the vaccines do not necessarily prevent infection, they lessen the severity of the symptoms, shorten the duration of the disease, reduce the amount of time dogs are contagious and, most importantly, protect against more severe complications such as pneumonia, she said. Veterinarians who spoke to The Post recommend the vaccines, particularly for dogs that have contact with other dogs. “If your dog does not participate in communal events with other dogs and is basically a couch dog, stays at home all the time, he may be very low risk for exposure to the virus and, therefore, not need the vaccine,” Crawford said. The two-dose vaccines are given two to four weeks apart and require annual boosters to maintain protective immunity, veterinarians said. While the initial vaccine series take four to six weeks to achieve maximum protection, veterinarians recommend starting the process now to give your dog at least some protection before the holidays, especially if you are planning to board your dog in a kennel. And if your dog has been vaccinated in the past but is due for a booster, go ahead and get the shot, vets said. “Hopefully, your dog will have some protection going into the busiest part of the holidays,” Teller said.

clockThis article was published more than 1 year ago

Canine influenza is spreading. Here is how to protect your pup.

The virus, which does not affect humans, can spread in doggy daycare centers and animal shelters

By Lindsey Bever

Updated December 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EST|Published December 15, 2022 at 9:59 a.m. EST

Canine influenza is on the rise in the United States, causing outbreaks in doggy daycare centers, kennels and animal shelters in a handful of states. The Washington Post spoke to veterinarians about the illness, the symptoms and what to do to protect your pup this holiday season. Here is what they say.