Dog Gone Sick with the Flu
For more advice visit www.HillchesterAH.com or call 708-449-6300.
Has my dog got the flu? (Canine Flu Symptoms and Canine Influenza Diagnosis)
The most common dog flu symptoms include “my dog acts sick” combined with wheezing, coughing and “my dog has a runny nose”. There is an old joke about “you can tell if your dog is healthy because your dog’s nose is cold” is just a joke. A blood test is needed to diagnose canine influenza from canine kennel cough, canine distemper and etc.
For the price of any vaccination or service from Hillchester Animal Hospital, please submit the form to the right (including species and weight).
Does my dog really need a canine flu shot?
If your clothes and your “Best Dog Gone Friend Forever” (BDGFF for you text messaging addicts) absolutely NEVER comes in contact with another canine companion animal, the answer is NO. However, if your former puppy ever gets within tail sniffing of distance of another pet pooch, the answer is YES. Canine flu is highly contagious and becomes very fatal at the “my dog is coughing blood” symptom level.
The Contagious Canine True / False Quiz
True or False: My dog goes to a boarding kennel
True or False: Somebody walks my dog with other dogs.
True or False: My dog goes to a pet groomer.
True or False: My dog goes to dog obedience classes
True or False: My dog goes to pet stores with me
True or False: My dog goes to dog parks or gets to run free on occasion
True or False: My dog meets other dogs during walks with me
True or False: My family and friends bring their dog over to my house.
True or False: My dog goes to dog shows.
True or False: My dog sneaks out of the house on occasion
True or False: My dog share toys, balls, or food bowls with the neighbors.
Any True statement indicates canine influenza risk. Every dog flu shot involves some vaccination risk. Veterinary Science is part “art”. However, canine influenza is highly contagious, very painful, and very deadly. The time for a dog flu shot is before canine flu symptoms appear. Better very safe than very sorry.
