Archive for the ‘dog first aid’ Category
Almost everyone knows at least one person who has had a case of Type A Influenza this year. But did you know that cats and dogs are now getting H1N1 from their owners?
According to a recent study by Iowa State University, cats can get it but they seem to get over it quickly in most cases. Dogs, however, are at much larger risk.
Along with looking at his patients’ teeth and listening to their heart, Dr. Richard Linn of the Ozark Veterinary Clinic also informs owners their dog could also be at risk of getting the H3N8 virus, known as “Dog Flu.”
“(Symptoms) can range from a kennel cough to severe pneumonia,” Dr. Linn said, “it can even be fatal in dogs.”
The H3N8 virus, the most dangerous flu for dogs, has migrated from Florida to thirty-six more states in the U.S. recently. A dog that goes out anywhere that there are other dogs is in
danger, whether it goes to the kennel or to a dog park. If your dog doesn’t leave your house or contact other dogs you probably don’t have to get it the vaccination, but ask your vet about it to be sure.
“We recommend, if they’re getting kennel cough treatment, to get the flu vaccine,” Dr. Linn said.
If a dog is exposed to the virus it will get the infection, but that doesn’t guarantee that it will get sick. Only about eighty percent of dogs that get this flu will have symptoms, but around five percent of those will die from complications.
Symptoms of Influenza in both cats and dogs include tiredness, fever, poor appetite, runny nose and a cough. But Dr. Linn said that the flu so far is considered very rare in cats.
“Dog Flu” isn’t believed to be transmissible to humans, and no case of cat’s giving H1N1 to humans has been reported either.
Please consult your veterinarian for their advice as to how to best protect your little furry friends.
