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Texas A&M’s Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory is monitoring several cases of canine influenza in Texas, including two in Harris County. Lori Teller is with the Meyerland Animal Clinic.
“Most of the dog population in the area is not protected against it. It’s not one of the core vaccines that dogs get on a regular basis.”
The symptoms are very similar to human flu symptoms.
“They’ll run a fever. They’ll feel really bad, be very lethargic, may not want to eat. Sneezing, coughey, watery eyes, discharge from the nose, and they just really don’t want to get up and move at all.”
Dogs exposed to other dogs — for example, at boarding facilities, dog parks and grooming salons — are at a greater risk of coming into contact with the virus.
“The big thing to be aware of — most dogs that are otherwise healthy can go on and recover with supportive care. Young puppies and older dogs are at higher risk from getting secondary pneumonias.”
Teller says owners should discuss their dog’s risk with their vet. There have been no reports of dog flu being spread to humans.