What you need to know about dog flu | Dr. Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT, Board-Certified Veterinary Specialist

Posted by justinelee in Animal Safety, Blog, Pet Health

Can dogs get the flu?

If your dog is showing any of these signs below, get to a veterinarian or an Animal ER, as your dog may have Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD). One of the causes of CIRD is Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), or “dog flu.”

Signs of CIV include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Pus discharge from the nose
• Fever
• Inappetance or not eating
• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing
• Exercise intolerance
• Gastrointestinal signs (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea) albeit less common

Treatment for CIV includes antibiotic therapy, hydration, x-rays to make sure that pneumonia isn’t present, oxygen therapy, supportive care, and sometimes anti-cough medication. Anti-cough medication (antitussives) ideally should only be used if pneumonia has been ruled out on x-ray, as it can make pneumonia worse.

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