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Here we are in the middle of March and I’m just getting over the flu. It seems our 2017-18 Flu Season is one of the worst on record, only running a close second to the 2009-10 Flu Season.
Now based on that piece of information alone, it was probably 7 or 8 years ago when I last contacted the flu bug. On a scale of one to ten, I would probably say my symptom’s this time around, were on the mild side, maybe at a level five. Still not enjoyable, and there’s that nagging dry cough that still lingers.
So, that got me thinking, …can dogs get the flu?
The answer is yes, humans can in fact pass the disease on to their canine companions. It’s not typical, but it does happen. In fact, the clinical signs of the influenza infection are similar to both people and pets.
- Mucus discharge from the nose or eyes
- Moist or dry coughing
- Labored breathing
- Lack of mobility
- Digestive upset with a loss of appetite
If your pet is showing any of these signs, it’s best to see your vet right away in order to relieve the symptoms, and to prevent such repository issues from getting worse.
Fortunately, throughout my ordeal, I kept my distance from Chloe, which if you know the temperament of the cocker spaniel, their need for human companionship is on the high upper limits of the relationship equation.
It seems that common sense dictated the best way not to spread the flu or get others infected. I simply had to limit my contact with those around me, and that even included my favorite canine companion.
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