Dog Flu Symptoms, Canine Flu, Dog Flu, Kennel Cough

The canine flu is a fairly recent addition to the list of things we have to worry about when it comes to our dogs. While there is extensive the epidemic suggested by the media, is certainly a disease that is spreading and which we must be aware if you live or work with dogs.

It was discovered in Florida during the investigation into the causes of kennel cough among the greyhounds, and is thought to be a variation of the horse flu. It is an airborne disease and is more likely to be found where many dogs are contained in close proximity to each other. Roughly 16% of the dogs that are exposed to the disease develop symptoms, and these cases, about 6% prove fatal.

Symptoms of canine flu are a fever, coughing and sneezing a senior, a runny nose, lethargy or an excessive depression and a lack of appetite. Of course, many other diseases are characterized coughing and sneezing so you should not immediately assume your dog has the flu, but if you mean that you should consult your veterinarian, particularly in the temperature of your dog reaches 106 degrees.

The canine flu is a virus and therefore does not respond to antibiotics. In severe cases, damage to the respiratory system leads to a secondary infection of pneumonia and is usually caused deaths. Pneumonia is treatable with antibiotics and a high fluid product, so the number of fatal cases of influenza can be reduced. Research into a vaccine for the canine flu is currently underway, but may not be available for other pairs of years.

If you are planning to leave your dog in kennels you should check their policy on respiratory infections. Ask if you isolate any dog that develops an infection, if the flu or something less harmful eg the kennel cough. Also be sure to inform him if his dog has come in contact with another dog with a respiratory infection.

A recent case in Pittsburgh that he saw the ease of raising high quality, misty pines, are temporarily closed because thirty of their dogs developed canine influenza. None of the dogs died and the facility was opened again once the infection had run its course. The canine flu is only infectious for ten days and has an incubation period of two to five days so it's perfectly safe to go there

Although infection is more common in places where dogs are grouped together, you should not let this put you of buying a dog from a shelter. You, however, want to check the shelter's policy on new arrivals. Do the days isolated to first ensure they do not have the infection? If you already have a dog in the country, you may want to keep your pet from them again for a few days just to be on the safe side.

The canine flu poses no risk to humans because they can not get infected. However it is believed that humans can carry the virus on their hands, clothes and shoes so you should be aware of this. In some cases it is believed that employees of the shelters or dog kennels have transmitted the virus to their own dogs in this way.

Although the canine flu is clearly an issue that you should be aware of and take precautions, you should not let it stop your dog from living life as usual. And you should not stop the use of their facilities usually pet. If you would like to find out about any outbreaks of the virus in your area contact your local veterinarian or state veterinary medical association, which may give local information and a certain peace of mind.