Dog owners should be alert to canine flu as vets issue owner warnings

DOWNTOWN – Veterinarians are sending out warnings about a highly contagious strain of canine flu and asking owners to get their dog’s flu shot and a booster shot.

Dogs stick their heads in strange places and this can lead to the danger of canine friends picking up nasty stuff that can make them sick.

“Canine flu is one of the infectious respiratory diseases that we can see in dogs,” said Dr. Jess Fejes, medical director at Veterinary Emergency Groupsaid.

Many dog ​​owners are familiar with vaccines for parvovirus, distemper, and rabies. But, when it comes to the flu, most are in the dark.

Veterinarians are now having the flu vaccine discussion with dog owners. They say not all dogs need the vaccine, but if a dog is social, that’s something an owner should consider.

“It’s going to be somewhat specific, depending on the region and what they’re exposed to, but, in general, dogs are exposed to a lot of other dogs, dogs in daycare, boarding, things like that. “, explained Dr. Fejes.

Miles Petricone says he has always made sure his dog is up to date on vaccines and is now considering adding the canine flu vaccine to his dog’s regimen.

“If my vet recommends it to me when I take him in for his annual checkup, I’ll definitely get him. I will absolutely check him out,” Petricone said.

The good news is that, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, very few dogs will die from the flu if they are infected.