The coughing, the body aches, the fever and chills…the flu can make you seek comfort in your furry best friend, but is that a good idea? You would never want to share this misery with them, so can dogs get the flu from humans? While dogs have their own strains of the influenza virus, they cannot contract the flu from you. So, grab your box of tissues and your bowl of chicken soup and read on to learn about the symptoms and prevention of canine influenza.
Can Dogs Get the Flu?
The flu is an illness known for coughing, fever, body aches, and lethargy. It is caused by the influenza virus of which there are four types, A, B, C, and D, with type A being the one we are most concerned about according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Within the type A classification, there are many subtypes, some of which are species specific and some which can infect both humans and different types of animals.
Dogs can get the flu from an infection with specific subtypes of influenza A.
Can Dogs Get Influenza A from Humans?
The subtypes of influenza A that can infect dogs are specific to dogs, mainly H3N2 and H3N8. They can’t infect humans or other animals. On the flip side, subtypes that infect humans, can’t infect dogs. So, while you may be suffering through another flu season, your dog isn’t likely to get sick from your germs.
What is Canine Influenza?
Canine influenza, or the dog flu, is a highly contagious illness caused by two dog-specific subtypes of the influenza A virus. Nearly every dog that is exposed to it will become infected regardless of age, breed, or concurrent health conditions. Unlike human flu, there isn’t really a dog flu season, though it tends to come in waves, canine influenza infections can occur anytime of the year.
H3N2 Canine Influenza
This is the most common subtype that we see causing dog flu. This flu virus evolved from an Asian avian virus and hit the United States in 2015, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.
H3H8 Canine Influenza
H3N8 is an example of how influenza viruses can cross from one species to another. This virus first showed up in 2000 when it evolved from a virus capable of infecting horses to one that could infect and transmit between dogs. The virus was first recognized in U.S. dogs during an outbreak among racing greyhounds in Florida in 2004, then spread to other dog populations.
Fortunately, illnesses from H3N8 are rarely seen, according to Cornell University’s Baker Institute for Animal Health, so it appears to have run its course.
Dog Flu Symptoms to Watch For
Canine influenza mainly targets the respiratory system, creating symptoms such as:
Coughing
Nasal discharge
Fever
Lethargy
Decreased appetite
Runny eyes
These mild signs often show up within 2-3 days following an exposure to the canine influenza virus. Most dogs will recover within a couple of weeks.
Severe Symptoms and Pneumonia Risk
In a small percentage of dogs, mild respiratory symptoms can develop into serious complications of bacterial pneumonia. Severe symptoms include:
Labored breathing
Weakness
Persistent cough
Bluish gums
If your dog is experiencing any of these signs, seek veterinary care immediately.
Is Dog Flu Contagious?
Canine influenza is highly contagious and easily transmitted between dogs. The virus can spread through direct contact, especially indoors. That means dogs that contact a lot of other dogs are most at risk. Boarding, grooming, dog parks, obedience classes or doggy day cares are hot beds for this virus. Along with direct contact through licking or nuzzling each other, dog flu can also spread through:
Respiratory droplets when a dog coughs, barks, or sneezes
On bowls, toys, bedding, or kennels
Your clothes when in contact with an infected dog
Dog Flu vs. Kennel Cough: What’s the Difference?
If you’re dog frequents high-traffic dog areas, such as boarding facilities, groomers, or day cares, you’ve no doubt had them vaccinated for kennel cough, so they’re likely covered for dog flu, right? Not quite.
Kennel cough is another name for canine infectious respiratory disease complex, an illness that also causes coughing but is typically milder and without other symptoms. Kennel cough can be caused by a number of bacteria and viruses, mainly Bordetella bronchiseptica or canine parainfluenza, while canine influenza is only caused by those two types of influenza A viruses.
When to Call the Vet for Dog Flu
Most dogs will recover within a few weeks, but some times things can be more complicated. If your dog is showing severe symptoms, isn’t getting better within a few weeks, or you’re at all concerned, contact your vet.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Dog Flu
Diagnosing canine influenza can’t be done based on physical symptoms alone. For a definitive diagnosis, your vet will need to collect and send off some samples.
Within the first few days of the start of illness: Your vet can collect a nasal swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) looking for the specific virus.
After 10 days of illness: A PCR isn’t as sensitive, so blood tests will be needed to check for antibodies to the virus
Why is a Diagnosis of Canine Influenza Important?
Due to the high contagiousness of dog flu, properly diagnosing the specific virus can be important during outbreaks so that veterinarians know exactly what they’re working with.
Dog Flu Treatment and At-Home Care
There’s no Tamiflu for dogs, instead, treatment remains largely supportive.
At-Home Supportive Care for Mild Cases
Keep your pet warm and comfortable
Allow them to rest
Provide plenty of fresh water and monitor hydration
Veterinary Care for More Severe Cases
If your pup doesn’t respond to at-home care, or if they’re signs are severe, see your veterinarian. Treatment may include:
Antibiotics for secondary infections
Fluids for dehydration
Oxygen supplementation if difficulty breathing
Anti-inflammatories for fever
Veterinary costs can add up, especially if hospitalization is needed. Fortunately, a dog health insurance policy through Embrace Pet Insurance can help cover those unexpected costs so that you can focus on getting your dog better.
How Long Does Dog Flu Last?
Most cases of the dog flu will clear up within a few weeks. A cough may linger but the majority of the fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite shouldn’t last longer than 2-3 weeks. Secondary complications, such as pneumonia will take longer to clear up.
How to Prevent Dog Flu
We know all about washing hands and avoiding crowded places during flu season, the same goes for your dog. If possible, don’t board, groom, or frequent the dog park during known outbreaks. Use caution around large groups of dogs, and separate sick dogs from healthy ones until signs have disappeared.
Regularly clean bowls, leashes, and kennel surfaces with a mild disinfectant and allow to dry. Change your clothes and shoes after contact with a sick dog.
Dog Flu Vaccine
A vaccine for canine influenza is available. This vaccine isn’t meant to prevent a dog from completely getting the virus, but rather to lessen the severity if they do. The vaccine is given as a two-shot series, 2-4 weeks apart with annual boosters after that, similar to other puppy and dog vaccine schedules.
Not every dog needs a dog flu vaccine, but dogs that travel, board, or are around a lot of other dogs may benefit. Speak to your veterinarian about whether the vaccine is right for your dog. Also, consider a pet routine care plan addition to your pet insurance policy to help with the every day costs of vaccines, wellness exams, and preventative medications.