There are confirmed cases of the H3N2 dog flu virus in New England.
There are a couple of confirmed cases of the dog flu in Connecticut, but none so far in Massachusetts. Dog care specialists said owners still need to be aware of the symptoms, especially if your dog goes to a daycare or groomer.
The H3N2 strain of the dog flu virus has been found in dogs living in Connecticut. As of now, no Massachusetts dogs have been confirmed with the disease, but Shannon O’Connell of the Good Dog Spot said dog owners should contact a vet if their dogs are showing symptoms. like lethargy, lack of appetite and a cough.
“It’s basically like the cold or the flu in humans, your dog will recover on its own,” said O’Connell.
The disease is spread through a sick dog’s saliva, and dogs can be contagious for up to a month. O’Connell said there is a vaccine to help prevent the dog flu. Pet owners told 22News they will now be getting their dogs vaccinated.
“They should get vaccinated so it stops the spread of it so it doesn’t turn into an outbreak,” said Desiree Staples of West Springfield. “You know, you don’t want an epidemic of it.”
O’Connell said the dog flu can be deadly in some extreme cases, for example, if your dog has a weak immune system or is older or a puppy.
The dog flu is not contagious to humans.
Again, there are no confirmed cases in Massachusetts at this time.