Note: A picture that was included with this story when it was originally posted has been removed.

Man’s best friend is getting sick, and the sickness is spreading quickly.  The recent outbreak of the canine influenza is overtaking dog shelters throughout the Chicagoland area and is a major concern to dog owners.

Any dog that interacts with other dogs is at an increased risk of exposure.  Junior Kelly Kroc, member of LHS club, Save Animals For Ever, stated, “The dog flu can be passed on through dogs interacting with each other. It can also be spread if a person pets a dog that is infected and then pets other dogs.”  Recently, according to ABC 7 Chicago, the PAWS Animal Shelter in Tinley Park, Illinois, closed due to all 35 of their dogs being infected with the disease.

Canine influenza (strain H3N8) is an extremely contagious respiratory disease that has affected thousands of dogs in the United States.“The dog flu is dangerous because it can be spread so easily. I fear for pets across America” stated Kroc.   Because it is a relatively new virus, most dogs have not been exposed to it before.  The age and breed of the dog does not matter when it comes to this contagious disease.

Dating back 40 years, this specific type of influenza originated in horses, but has spread to dogs.  The Center for Disease Control believes the illness in dogs may have started with the greyhound breed, who are often raced at the same tracks as horses.   Scientists believe that the disease has further adapted in dogs, causing it to spread between breeds.

Symptoms of the disease include coughing, sneezing, fever, nasal discharge, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, and lethargy.  Since the virus does not survive for a long time in the environment, most transmission comes from dogs who come in direct contact with respiratory secretions from other infected dogs.

If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, immediately isolate him or her from other dogs and call your veterinarian.  Dogs can be infected up to 10 days prior to the emergence of any symptoms.  Infected dogs should be kept in isolation for a period of 10 to 14 days from the onset of treatment.

If diagnosed and treated early, the fatality rate is low.  Deaths caused by this virus are often associated with the secondary onset of pneumonia. ABC 7 Chicago reports that the outbreak has affected roughly 1,300 dogs in the Midwest region alone.  It is very important that your dog receives the proper veterinary care.  Fortunately, a vaccination does exist.

According to Libertyville Animal Hospital, the initial vaccination requires a two to three week booster vaccination along with yearly vaccine inoculations.  It is the responsibility of the pet owner to request the vaccine.  It is currently not part of the required vaccinations for dogs and will only be given at owner request.  Due to the increase in cases seen, many boarding facilities are requiring proof of vaccination.  The Libertyville Animal Hospital has not seen the outbreak as much as surrounding areas such as McHenry, Dupage, and Chicago, but they have been administering the vaccine to many of their patients.

It is suggested that preventative measures to maintain good health, along with vaccinations, should be done. “I would just advise pet owners to keep their dogs away from other dogs and avoid doggy day cares and dog parks” suggested Kroc.  Dog owners should make sure their pet receives good nutrition and supplements to raise their immunity, fluids to maintain hydrations, rest and medications to treat secondary bacterial infections if the virus is incurred.

To date, there have been no known cases of the virus spreading to humans.