It’s not just cold and flu season for humans: canine influenza and other viruses that make dogs sick are also spreading.
Some animal shelters have had to suspend dog adoptions due to cases of “dog flu” and pneumovirus.
There is no vaccine for Pneumovirus, but there is a vaccine against canine influenza.
If you have a dog, watch for warning signs: If your dog stops eating or has difficulty breathing, contact your vet.
“Most dogs will experience 10 to 14 days with a runny nose and cough. But there is a significant subset of those dogs that will progress to pneumonia that can be very life-threatening,” said Dr. Cynda Crawford, School of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. .
The American Veterinary Medical Association says that vaccinating your dog against canine influenza may not prevent an infection entirely, but it may reduce its severity and duration.
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