Dog Flu Treatment

Have you ever heard of the dog flu? If you are anything like me, then you probably never heard of it until recently, if at all. I’d heard of the avian bird flu and the “human” flu, but besides that I hadn’t heard of anything resembling dog flu. However, it does seem to exist and in fact it is slowly spreading across the country. It was first discovered in a bunch of ill greyhound dogs in California and has since moved to various locations in the US. This article will talk about the symptoms of dog flu and how you can tell if you need to take your dog to get medical attention.

Like the other forms of the flu, the dog flu comes from a virus that attacks an unaware immune system. Eventually, the dog should adapt by creating the antibodies necessary to defend against the flu, but in some cases it doesn’t happen. In these cases, you’ll notice your dog’s condition getting worse, and in that case you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. The mortality rate for the dog flu is about 5-8%, which is relatively low for viral illness in animals.

The first warning signs are what is called a “kennel cough,” which is a cough that persists for approximately 10-21 days on average. Your dog might also have some nasal discharge or act a bit strangely. Some dogs get fatigued while others don’t seem to have anything more than a cough. It affects all dogs differently, but the cough is usually the main symptom.

If you notice a cough in your dog, then you might want to get him or her checked out by a vet as soon as you can. There are tests that can help to discern whether or not your dog has contracted the virus, but it involves a blood sample, which might take some time to get back. Therefore, you should act as soon as you think your dog has been in contact with the virus.

The dog flu doesn’t really affect dogs like it does humans, as dogs have a higher body temperature and don’t really get fevers like we do. Dogs rarely get sick (throw up), so don’t be surprised if there aren’t many symptoms aside from the cough. It is important to keep an eye on dogs in your neighborhood to make sure you don’t’ expose your dog to another that has the virus. The virus spreads through most body fluids and residuals, such as hair and oil, so the best place to keep your dog is in your own home or yard. If you feel that your dog is at risk or has been exposed, then visit your veterinarian so he can answer your questions.