(Kim Bradley is the founder of Paws 4 Safety; a pet safety education initiative focused onhelping pet owners prepare for emergencies and everyday situations involving their pets. For more information visit the Pet Safety Learning Center at Paws4Safety.com or call 877-829-1997. Because moments matter.)
As temperatures begin to drop, we start hearing familiar reminders about flu season. Get your flu shot, wash your hands, and stay home when you're sick. But did you know our pets can also develop influenza? While human flu is commonly associated with a particular time of year, canine influenza is more closely associated with the places dogs visit and the other dogs they encounter.
Canine influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A viruses. Dogs can become infected through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected dogs. Boarding kennels, grooming facilities, dog parks, shelters, training classes, and daycare centers are places where exposure can occur.
An infected dog may spread the virus before showing obvious signs of illness. Shared bowls, toys, and contaminated surfaces can also contribute to transmission.
Symptoms to watch for sometimes resemble those we associate with human flu, including coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, fever, fatigue, and reduced appetite. Some dogs also develop eye discharge.
However, not every coughing dog has influenza. Kennel cough and other respiratory infections can produce similar symptoms. A veterinarian may recommend testing, particularly when a dog has recently been around other dogs or an outbreak is suspected.
Will It Go Away on Its Own?
Most dogs recover from canine influenza within two to three weeks, although coughing may persist longer. Some dogs develop secondary bacterial infections or pneumonia, which can become serious.
Treatment generally focuses on supportive care, including rest, hydration, and monitoring. Depending on the dog's condition, a veterinarian may recommend additional treatment. Antibiotics do not treat influenza viruses, but they may be prescribed when a secondary bacterial infection is present.
NEVER give your dog human cold or flu medication without veterinary approval. This can be dangerous or even fatal to pets.
And in Case You Were Wondering About Cats…Yes, cats can get sick with respiratory infections too! However, "cat flu" usually isn't influenza at all. It's most often caused by feline herpesvirus or calicivirus. Symptoms can include sneezing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, fever, and loss of appetite.
Cats can also contract certain actual influenza viruses, although this is less common. The important thing to remember is that respiratory illness in cats deserves attention too, particularly when symptoms persist, breathing becomes difficult, or a cat stops eating.
Can Pet Flu Be Prevented?
Prevention begins with awareness. Avoid exposing your pet to animals showing signs of respiratory illness. Ask boarding facilities and daycare providers about their vaccination requirements, cleaning practices, and procedures for separating sick animals.
Vaccines are available for canine influenza, although they are not necessarily recommended for every dog. Your veterinarian can help determine whether your dog's lifestyle and exposure risk justify vaccination.
Routine feline vaccinations help protect cats against common respiratory viruses, but they do not protect against influenza itself.
If your pet develops respiratory symptoms, call your veterinarian before arriving at the clinic. This allows the staff to take precautions to protect other patients.
REMEMBER: Human flu season reminds us to protect ourselves, but our pets depend on us to recognize their risks throughout the year. Knowing where exposure occurs, recognizing symptoms early, and seeking appropriate veterinary guidance can help prevent a minor illness from becoming something more serious.
A special thank-you to the community newspapers and publications that share the Paws 4 Safety column with their readers. By making practical pet safety information available to local families, you help us build safer, better-prepared communities for people and their pets.