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Dog flu prevention tips
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In the midst of all the worry and hype about swine flu, another type of flu has been quietly growing more dangerous. According to the New York Times, dog flu, also known as H3N8 Canine Flu, has been found in several areas in the US and has about a 5% death rate, which is alarmingly high for a flu virus. The USDA has given conditional approval for a dog flu vaccine, but is it something you should head to your vet's office to get?
The Maryland area has not had the major outbreaks seen in Philadelphia or New York City, but those areas are close enough for dog owners to feel a little nervous for their furry friends. Since Shih Tzus are one of the breeds with the highest fatility rate, Charlie Chan headed to his vet for a visit.
The vet did not recommend a vaccine for him at this time and said that the vaccine isn't actually available as a standard vaccine right now. She did have some tips to offer, though.
- Avoid taking your dog to areas where there is a good chance of coming into contact with unvaccinated or sick dogs. The pet stores that allow dogs inside stress that dogs without vaccines should stay home, but pet owners don't always pay attention to this request.
- Make sure your pet is eating, drinking and playing normally each day. Even if there isn't a dog flu outbreak in your area, it is important to consult your vet if your dog shows any signs of illness.
- Be sure your dog is wearing an id tag or has been microchipped. If it gets lost, you'll be able to retrieve it quickly. Since your pet will avoid spending a long time in the same area with stray and abandoned dogs, the chance of exposure to dog flu or other diseases is greatly reduced.
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