As a dog owner, you know there are many illnesses your dog may contract throughout her life. Some of these are more serious than others, but they all concern you at some point or another when taking care of your favorite furry family member.
Flu can be a dangerous illness, but when you know how to recognize the symptoms of dog flu, you can get ahead of it and have a better chance of getting the treatment your dog needs. In this article, we will explain the basics of dog flu and help you learn more about symptoms and treatments as well. Read on to find out more.
What is Dog Flu?
Dog flu is the colloquial name for canine parainfluenza. This is a similar virus to the type that causes various forms of flu in humans, but it is not the same one. It comes in two variations; one of these caused an outbreak in 2015, and the other a decade earlier in 2004.
Dog flu is an extremely contagious canine illness, and since it is spread through the air, it is potentially dangerous when it reaches communities with many dogs. It is also quite dangerous at kennels, animal hospitals, and other locations with many dogs present.
Common Dog Flu Symptoms in Crown Point, IN
- Coughing and sneezing: These two symptoms are among the earliest your dog may show if she has contracted dog flu. Unfortunately, this is also one of the main ways in which dog flu is spread between dogs.
- Wheezing: Some dogs may also develop wheezing when they have dog flu. This is not always a symptom, but it often goes along with coughing and sneezing. Dogs who wheeze with no other symptoms, however, may have some other underlying problem causing the wheezing, so keep this in mind as well.
- Fever: This illness will quickly cause your dog to develop a fever. If left untreated, the fever may become quite high, and it could cause your dog to become dehydrated as well. If you think your dog may have a fever, you should bring her in to see a veterinarian, as this is a sign of illness in any situation.
- Runny eyes or nose: A runny nose or runny eyes may go along with dog flu. Like wheezing, these symptoms are not always the case, and it varies from dog to dog. However, if you notice these problems along with any others on this list, your dog may have dog flu.
- Lethargic behavior: As dogs become sicker with this illness, they may become lethargic and unwilling to move around much. Your dog may show no interest in her favorite toys, food, or family members, and this may be a tell-tale sign that she is quite ill.
- Trouble breathing: Dogs with dog flu sometimes struggle to breathe. It is important to pay close attention to your dog’s breathing while she is sick, and bring her in to our animal hospital in Crown Point, IN right away if you think she is having severe difficulty breathing. Look for paleness or blue coloration in the gums or tongue to help you determine this.
Possible Treatments
- Vet care: There is no way to cure this disease, but your veterinarian can help take care of your dog’s symptoms. This care can help prevent dehydration and reduce the risk of high fever. It can also cut down on any pain or difficulty breathing she may be suffering with this illness.
- In some areas, your dog may be required to quarantine either at home or at the vet’s office until she is well. Your vet will tell you more about this, and the information may vary depending on where you live and the severity of dog flu in your location.
- Even after your dog has been released to your care, she may need a while to recover fully. Do not push her to be more active than she should be until she is completely well, and always follow the recommendations given to you by your vet.
- Finally, have your dog vaccinated against dog flu to prevent this illness from ever affecting her in the first place. Depending on where you live, this may be strongly suggested by law or by your vet, but you can always request the vaccination for your dog no matter where your location might be.
Now that you have this information on hand, you can recognize the signs of dog flu early. This way, you can bring your dog in quickly and have her treated as soon as possible. Additionally, you can help prevent the spread of dog flu by ensuring your dog gets the treatment she needs while recovering.
Remember to speak to your vet about having your dog vaccinated against this illness. In most situations, dogs can be easily vaccinated for dog flu with no trouble. If you have questions about dog flu symptoms or flu prevention, please contact us at (219) 267-1700 or stop by our Crown Point, IN animal hospital today!
