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How can you tell if a dog has the flu?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The signs are those of a nasty upper respiratory tract infection and include fever, coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, and nose. Your vet can make a definitive diagnosis (should it be necessary) by swabbing the throat or by a blood sample.

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Question

Can you give your dog the flu?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

No. The strain of flu virus that causes infection in dogs is a mutated horse virus. It is extremely infectious between dogs, but there is no evidence that dogs can give it to people or cats, or indeed that the human flu virus can be passed to dogs.

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Question

Is there a vaccine for the dog flu?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes. There is an effective vaccine against both forms of dog flu. This is given by subcutaneous injection. It protects against flu and is best given to healthy dogs ahead of exposure to the flu virus. In some cases, it doesn't completely stop infection but it will make the symptoms less severe in that individual.

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Question

How long is a dog with the flu contagious?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The dog is contagious for as long as he continues to cough or sneeze. As a rule of thumb, it is best to isolate dogs and treat them as infectious until they are symptom-free for several days. Also, the incubation period is 2 - 4 days. If your dog has been exposed to active dog flu, then it's best to isolate them for 4 - 5 days, until it's proven that they haven't acquired infection.

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