Dog owners beware. A deadly strain of flu virus is going around and it’s affecting dogs. Eight have been killed so far while hundreds have fallen ill.
How is this virus spreading?
When one infected dog makes contact with another, usually nose to nose contact, the virus spreads. Obviously this is of great concern to dog owners as one of the first thing a dog does when interacting with another is nose to nose sniffing. It is now being considered an epidemic due to the easily and rapid spreading possibility which this virus poses.
What can you do to protect your dog?
First, if you already have an ill dog or one which has a weakened immune system, keep him or her away from other dogs. Puppies also fall into this category as they are young and susceptible to becoming sick.
If your dog is showing symptoms of any kind of sickness, bring him to the vet immediately. Time is of the essence. The flu is said to be the most contagious within the first four days of infection.
Humans can spread this disease from dog to dog so it is important to keep your own hands washed and be careful about petting multiple dogs.
While this disease was initially isolated to the Midwest region of the U.S., cases have been popping up in Houston as well as possibly Atlanta. With the summer coming up and more people travelling, it would be wise to take precautions no matter where you live to ensure your pooch stays safe and healthy.
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