Canine Influenza

Canine Flu Immunization and Treatment from Our Boca Raton Veterinarian

If you've ever had a really bad case of the flue, you know you want to protect everyone in your family against this type of illness -- including the families best friend. Canine influenza may not be communicable to humans, but it can wreak havoc on your pet's respiratory system, leading to everything from kennel cough to pneumonia. While canine flu can be treated, immunization against it is the sensible pet wellness precaution. No one wants a loved one to be up all night coughing for weeks. Get them the protection they need. Your dog can get this protection from your Boca Raton veterinarian at Boca Village Animal Hospital!

Canine Flu: A Serious Problem for Many Dogs

There are actually two distinct strains of canine flu virus, CIV H3N2 and CIV H3N8. CIV H3N8 seems to have crossed over to dogs from horses in 2004. The CIV H3N2 originally came from birds and has become a major problem in recent years, spreading across at least 30 U.S. states. Currently neither strain of canine flu has been transmitted to humans, although it's not impossible that one might someday mutate into a form that could infect the human population as well. Canine flu can be transmitted through air, contaminated objects and direct contact with other dogs.

Canine flu can have a serious impact on your pet's health. Many cases evolve into kennel cough, also called canine cough. (Kennel cough or canine cough can also be caused by the Bordetella Bronchiseptica bacterium.) Your dog may become only mildly under the weather, or he may grow ill enough to require prompt veterinary attention. Symptoms of canine flu range from none at all to:

  • Lethargic behavior
  • Runny nose
  • Hacking cough
  • Fever

A severe case of canine flu can turn into pneumonia, which can be fatal in some dogs. Supportive treatments such as fluids and medications can help your dog get through a bout of canine flu. Even so, full recovery from the resulting kennel cough can take over 3 weeks in a healthy animal and 6 weeks in a geriatric or chronically ill animal.

Pet Vaccines to Fight Canine Flu

Approved pet vaccines now exist to protect dogs against the CIV H3N2 and CIV H3N8 viruses. Your veterinarian in Boca Raton will want to make sure your dog receives these shots before entering into any close quarters with other canines, including our own pet boarding facility. We can also vaccinate your pet against Bordetella Bronchiseptica for maximum protection against kennel cough. We administer this vaccination not as an injection, but as an easy liquid oral medication that takes 1 minute to administer. Staying current on your dog's scheduled pet wellness exams is another good idea because it allows us to spot and treat these and other upper respiratory diseases as early as possible.

Your Veterinarian in Boca Raton Can Help You Protect Your Pet

Don't let your dog fall prey to canine flu. Call (561) 391-2266 to schedule vaccinations and discuss pet wellness safeguards with your veterinarian in Boca Raton. Boca Village Animal Hospital is ready to help you protect your pet!

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