Disclosure: Today’s post is a part of the Insider’s Program on Bloggy Moms. All opinions are my own.
Pets play an important role in our lives. I love my pets and they’re always considered family. My pets are just like my children. You have to take care of them as much as you would with your own kids. They need to be seen by doctors to make sure they’re well too. It’s always fun to come home to your pets to see how happy they are to see you. You can always see their happy faces with their tails wagging too. It’s always exciting to see just how happy they really are.
Dogs can sometimes come with more than just love. Have any of you had a dog that got sick? Maybe got fleas? Did you know that dogs can get the flu as well?! I didn’t know this util a few months ago. I honestly never thought about it. I always thought it was just humans that got the flu. I guess I was wrong about that. The dog flu is all year around too. They never get a break like us humans usually do. This is why it’s so important to make sure to get your dogs checked out if you think they may be sick. The best approach to protecting your dog is prevention through dog flu vaccination. You can talk to your local vet about this.
H3N2, is a new strain of the dog flu, which emerged in the United States in 2015. It has continually caused outbreaks throughout the country, with the most recent outbreaks taking place in Chicago and Los Angeles in early 2017. Close to 100 percent of dogs are naïve to the H3N2 strain and have no natural immunity to it, meaning virtually all exposed dogs become infected. This is a high risk and you want to be very careful when it comes to this. This is why it’s so important to protect your dogs from the flu.
Humans can spread sickness in many ways. By sharing a drink with someone or sometimes just being near someone can get you sick. Dogs can spread dog flu by direct contact with respiratory discharge, through the air via a cough, bark or sneeze and by contact with contaminated objects such as dog bowls and clothing. Common clinical signs of dog flu include coughing, fever, sneezing, ocular discharge and lethargy. In severe cases, pneumonia can develop, and critically ill dogs may even die from complications.
By the time dog flu is diagnosed, it has most likely already spread to other dogs. Dog owners whose dogs are coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus. Dogs can pass it to other dogs for more than three weeks. Prevention is the best approach. Fortunately, dog flu vaccines are now available through U.S. veterinarians to help protect dogs
You can download Merck Animal Health and The Dogist’s If This Dog Could Talk: Tour to Prevent Dog Flu album to learn more about it. I hope that you all learned something about this and keep your pets safe. It’s a serious thing that you want to make sure your pets are safe from the dog flu as well. Just like us humans, our dogs need to be cared for as well.
Download the full album HERE.
I didn’t really know anything about dog flu until a couple of years ago when we boarded our dogs. I had read up about all the illnesses that dogs can get when being boarded. I always stick to places now with strict policies.
I’m glad you know more about it as well. I didn’t know about it either til maybe a few months ago.
The dog flu is so scary! As soon as there was a vaccine, we were at our vet. It’s nothing to mess around with.
It sure is! I’m glad there are vaccines for them.
The dog flu is such a horrible disease. It’s name doesn’t sound so bad, but it is just awful. Every owner needs to vaccinated their dogs.
It really is. I think every dog owner needs to know about it too.
I’ve never heard of Dog Flu before! It’s always good to be informed so you can protect your dogs the best way possible.
It sure is. It’s very serious too, so I hope everyone can learn from this.
I am pretty sure the vaccinated my dog for this. I do need to double check with the vet because if she has not been a vaccinated for this I need to get it done. I do not want to worry about this.
Right! It sure is very important.
I didn’t know this was going around! Preventative medicine should be a priority and it’s definitely a good idea to keep an eye out for potential symptoms.
Yep, it’s so important to know these things.
I had no idea there was a dog flu vaccination. I will have to talk to my Vet about getting it for my 2 fur babies. I would do anything for them to not get sick.
Right! I didn’t know til months ago either.
Wow, this is so scary! I had no idea dogs could catch sicknesses like the flu from other dogs. Thank you for the heads up!
You’re welcome. It sure is scary!
Oh wow. I had no idea dogs could get the flu either. I want to protect my little guy!
I’m glad that you know about it now.
This is something I have not heard of before. I need to share this with my daughter. She has two dogs.
Thanks for sharing with her.
I didn’t realize that dogs could get a dog flu, or that such a thing as a dog flu vaccine existed. Thanks for sharing what to look for in terms of symptoms.
You’re welcome! Glad to share.
I had no idea about this. How awful! It is so hard to see our pets get sick, not to mention that they can’t tell us what is going on with them. I will have to pass the word on to the dog owners we know.
Right! It’s hard when they can’t say anything.
awe, so sad. Luckily my dogs have never been sick.
It is really sad. I’m just glad to share the info.
It is never fun to have a sick pup in the house
I completely agree!
We have two dogs so we are aware of what could happen. It is important to keep your pets happy and healthy!
It sure is.
We don’t have any dogs. But it’s good to be prepared and in the know for when we do .
Sure is! I love to be updated on things like this.
Thank you so much for spreading awareness about illness in dogs. Animals just like humans can get sick. Good veterinarian care is a must.
Right. I’m glad to be able to share this with everyone.
This is really helpful and informative! I had no idea how serious a dog flu can be! Thank you for sharing this!
You’re welcome. I’m glad to share.
When we had our dog back then, I made sure that he got his vaccines regularly. I’ve known about dog flu and how scary it is.
That’s great to hear. I’m glad you keep up with vaccines as well.
Great way to spread the info for those who are unaware. It can be really worrisome to find our pet ill and not know what is wrong.
Yes, I’m glad to be sharing.
We don’t have a dog but getting them vaccinated against the dog flu is a good idea. I didn’t even realize that dogs could get the flu.
I completely agree. I think it’s so important.
It is easy to forget our pets get sick too! Nice reminder to protect them from the flu.
Right. I think it’s so important to protect them too.
It is really too easy to forget that our pets can also get sick! Thank you for letting me know more about Dog Flu. I would hate for my dog to get sick and this is great advice!
You’re welcome! I’m glad to let everyone know more.
The dog flu can be prevented for the most part with vaccinations. I need to get my Yorkie his shot before we go out to play at the dog park again. Speaking of which, I need to pick up his flea/heartworm meds too.
Yes, it sure can, which is why it’s so important to get them vaccinated.
I didn’t realize that dogs get the flu, but I am glad there are ways to help prevent it. I will let my friends and family know just in case they don’t.
I’m glad to share the info. Seems like many didn’t know.
I have had pets get colds and one dog I have experienced the flu. When you don’t know about it, it is a little strange to think about animals getting people things.
Exactly. It’s so important to know about this.
I didn’t even know dogs could get the flu! How crazy!
Isn’t it! It’s sad that it can happen to them too.
We always had dogs when I was growing up and I don’t recall any getting the flu, so I had no idea this was a thing! Wow. I’ll have to ask my mom if she knows, she still has 2 doggies
It’s crazy, right?! I didn’t know til months ago either.
Very informative. My mother in law just lost her dog a few days ago due to skin infection. This is a great info for dog owners.
I’m sorry to hear that.
Oh no, thanks for sharing this I had no idea! I would be so sad for the dogs to get sick.
Sure would. I’d hate for any to get the flu.
We don’t have a dog, but thank you for sharing the info. I sure didn’t know that dogs can get a flu. Learned a lot from your post.
You’re welcome.
I’m about to get a dog, and I didn’t know that dogs can get the flu. I’m saving this info and also sharing it with some friends. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Totally agree with you, dogs are very much important and are considered part of the family. It’s good to be prepared beforehand to know what you need to do properly. I wouldn’t wish for any dogs to have dog flu, it’s terrible.
It sure is. I’d hate for any dog to get the flu.
I had no idea dog flu was a thing. My dog has yet to get sick, thank goodness. I can’t imagine what we will do if it ever happens. Great info, sharing with my family to enlighten them too.
I’m glad you were able to share with others!
I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t know there was a ‘Dog Flu’. Luckily we’ve never seen these symptoms in our pooches, but I will for sure be on the lookout this year.
I didn’t know til a few months ago either. It’s good to know about it now.