New York City Dog Flu Cases on the Rise: What Pet Owners Need to Know
The flu is a familiar foe for humans, but dog owners should be aware that their pets can also catch a version of the illness known as canine influenza. The virus, which has been identified in at least 45 cases across the US this year, can spread quickly in crowded environments like shelters and kennels.
According to Dr. Katja Lang, chief medical officer at Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group, there is no link between human flu and dog flu. "There is no relationship," she said. "Human flu, dog flu – both called influenza – but a human cannot give a dog flu, and a dog cannot give their flu to a human."
Symptoms of canine influenza vary widely, ranging from none at all to severe respiratory issues like coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, decreased appetite, and pneumonia. The virus can be contagious even in dogs with no symptoms, making it tricky to track outbreaks.
Poor air circulation and crowded environments are key factors in the spread of dog flu, particularly in settings like dog day cares and boarding facilities. While some breeds may be more prone to respiratory issues, no specific breed is at higher risk for contracting the flu.
To mitigate the risk, Dr. Lang recommends that dogs who frequently interact with other dogs get vaccinated against canine influenza. The vaccine won't prevent infection but can reduce the severity of symptoms if a dog is exposed. It's considered a safe and effective measure.
If you suspect your dog has the flu, don't walk into a clinic – call your vet first. There's a test that can be easily run to confirm whether it's canine influenza. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the H3N2 virus was first detected in South Korea in 2007 and has since been identified in dogs across Asia and North America.
For now, New York state hasn't reported any cases of dog flu, but pet owners should stay informed about the risks and take precautions to protect their pets.
The flu is a familiar foe for humans, but dog owners should be aware that their pets can also catch a version of the illness known as canine influenza. The virus, which has been identified in at least 45 cases across the US this year, can spread quickly in crowded environments like shelters and kennels.
According to Dr. Katja Lang, chief medical officer at Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group, there is no link between human flu and dog flu. "There is no relationship," she said. "Human flu, dog flu – both called influenza – but a human cannot give a dog flu, and a dog cannot give their flu to a human."
Symptoms of canine influenza vary widely, ranging from none at all to severe respiratory issues like coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, decreased appetite, and pneumonia. The virus can be contagious even in dogs with no symptoms, making it tricky to track outbreaks.
Poor air circulation and crowded environments are key factors in the spread of dog flu, particularly in settings like dog day cares and boarding facilities. While some breeds may be more prone to respiratory issues, no specific breed is at higher risk for contracting the flu.
To mitigate the risk, Dr. Lang recommends that dogs who frequently interact with other dogs get vaccinated against canine influenza. The vaccine won't prevent infection but can reduce the severity of symptoms if a dog is exposed. It's considered a safe and effective measure.
If you suspect your dog has the flu, don't walk into a clinic – call your vet first. There's a test that can be easily run to confirm whether it's canine influenza. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the H3N2 virus was first detected in South Korea in 2007 and has since been identified in dogs across Asia and North America.
For now, New York state hasn't reported any cases of dog flu, but pet owners should stay informed about the risks and take precautions to protect their pets.
like how r we supposed 2 let our fur babies roam around crowded places without gettin vaccinated ?? 
my bff's pup went 2 a dog day care last week and now he's coughin away 
dr lang says it's not related 2 human flu but u still gotta be careful 
anyway vaccination is like super important 4 those puppies so let's all make sure 2 get our dogs vaccinated ASAP 
Those dog day cares and boarding facilities need to step up their ventilation game ASAP. And what's with the vaccine not preventing infection but reducing symptoms? Sounds like a classic case of government vs big pharma... who's pulling the strings here? 
. I think it's great that there's a vaccine available now, but we need to make sure our furry friends are protected before they get exposed 
. Anyway, I'm going to start spreading awareness about this among my dog-owning friends and family - we need to look out for each other's pets! 
i mean i get it shelters and kennels are like breeding grounds for disease but still its crazy how quickly its moving across the country 
! it's crazy how quickly this virus can spread in crowded places tho 
...I mean, who wants to risk giving their furry friend the sniffles?! 
anyway, pet owners should def stay informed about the risks & take precautions 
. And yeah, poor air circulation and overcrowded places like dog daycares are super high-risk areas for transmission... we should all be aware of this and take steps to prevent it 
.
. This dog flu outbreak is spreading fast and it's not good for anyone - dogs or humans! Poor air circulation and crowded environments are just perfect breeding grounds for this virus, you know? I remember when my old pup used to go to the dog day care every week, I should've been more careful 
. Now that I think about it, I should've gotten him vaccinated too. Vaccinations might not prevent infection but they can reduce symptoms if your dog is exposed - that's worth a shot in my book 
I mean, great news that our furry friends are just another thing we need to worry about 
. So, a vaccine that's 'safe and effective' (yeah right) is the magic solution to prevent outbreaks in dog daycares and boarding facilities. Meanwhile, poor air circulation? No big deal, just let the dogs hang out and get all sniffly together 
. Anyway, good for NY state that they're staying informed... about how we should probably be more responsible pet owners 
.
gotta prioritize our furry friends health & safety 
my mom always says "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" 
The US is seeing some serious cases of dog flu right now, and it's making me think we need to take better care of our pets. I've got a friend whose pup had to go through pneumonia because they didn't get vaccinated 
. That's not something you want to see happen! So yeah, if your dog goes to dog day care or gets taken to a kennel, make sure they're all caught up on their shots 
.
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I can imagine how worrisome it must be for dog owners right now... those poor puppers getting sick from this flu... 
anyway, vaccination is a great idea! 
vaccinating your furry friend can definitely reduce symptoms if they do get infected... stay vigilant, pet parents! 
and it's since spread all over asia and north america 
. i'm not one to spread panic, but let's all just stay informed & keep our furry friends safe 
. Just keep an eye on those cute little faces of yours and make sure they're getting enough rest... after all, a tired pup is a happy pup 
I've seen videos of sick dogs in shelters back in the day, and people were always stressing about it. And now, suddenly it's a big deal again because it's spread to more places? 
It just seems like another fad to me... 
Vaccines are gonna be pushed on us by the vet industry, but what if they don't even work? 
Plus, with all the pet-friendly spots popping up in the city, there's never been a better time to grab your pup and get out there! 
. The more I read about this canine influenza thing, the more I wanna make sure my fur baby is protected