The flu has been spread far and wide across the U.S. but it’s not just people who are getting sick, their dogs are falling ill, too. There have been confirmed cases of dog flu in the San Francisco area, according to a tweet from the San Francisco SPCA.

Pet owners only need to worry about their fuzzy friends getting the flu, though, as no case of a human with canine influenza has ever been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control. While the dog flu has the potential to kill a dog, it rarely does. Only a small percentage of dogs die from the dog flu, said the CDC.

What Is The Dog Flu And What Are The Symptoms?

The dog flu is similar to the flu humans contract. It’s a specific strain of Type A influenza that causes respiratory disease in dogs specifically, according to the CDC. The known strains of the dog flu in the U.S. are H3N8 and H3N2. Both strains originated in other animals and made the jump to dogs in the past couple of decades. Symptoms can appear any time throughout the year and are not seasonal and can include, coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, fever, labored breathing and a runny nose, according to the American Kennel Club.

How Is Dog Flu Treated?

Usually, a dog infected with the dog flu will get better on its own with rest and fluids, but a veterinarian may suggest an antibiotic if they suspect there might be another infection going on. Additionally, fluids might be prescribed if the dog is having a hard time staying hydrated, the AKC said.

How Dog Flu Spreads And How To Keep A Dog Out Of Harm’s Way

The strain of flu that dogs can get is airborne just like the one humans can get. So it’s good to keep dogs away from others that might be sick. Additionally, dogs can get the flu through environments that are contaminated, like water bowls, surfaces, or collars that sick dogs have come in contact with, according to AKC.

RELATED STORIES
Medicine