Home Dog Care Health

What are the symptoms of canine influenza and how can I protect my dog?

(1.37MB)

What are the symptoms of canine influenza and how can I protect my dog?

Listen

The h-three-n-eight influenza virus is known for infecting horses, but it’s becoming more common in dogs. According to Terri Wasmoen, a Veterinarian at Intervet-Schering-Plough Animal Health, about eighty percent of infected dogs have minor symptoms, and a small percentage develop severe disease and die.

She says, “canine influenza looks like regular kennel cough, so the main sign that a pet owner will notice that will cause them to take their dog to the vet will be coughing.”

Unfortunately, for dogs that hang out with other dogs, the transmission rate is high . . . .

Wasmoen continues, “it’s one hundred percent: they won’t cough in their arm, and they won’t wash their hand, so they all get it.”

So if you board your dog in a kennel, consider asking your veterinarian about the influenza vaccine.

– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

Top