Major flu epidemics that have swept through America in recent years have people worrying not only about their friends and loved ones, but also their pets. According to Time magazine, [1] the total number of deaths is at around 120, and even worse, 50 children are among those who have died. But can your pets get sick from the same flu as you? Unfortunately, the answer is yes, and this mostly affects dogs. More importantly, if you can distinguish signs of human flu from pet flu, you could prevent your pet from dying.
Types of Pet Flues
As far as dogs and cats are concerned, they are at greater risk of catching human flu, so it’s important to monitor your pets closely if there is a flu epidemic in your city or general area. Cats and dogs can easily get influenza Type A, also known as H3N8, as this is the strain most often passed along from humans to animals. Flu symptoms in pets can differ but it’s not hard to spot it in your pet.
With dog flu, symptoms aren’t usually serious and you won’t have trouble handling them. On average, dogs are sick between 10 and 30 days and according to PetMD, [2] symptoms include sneezing, an elevated temperature, a lack of appetite, and coughing. If your dog is having trouble breathing or if it’s coughing up blood, go to a vet immediately.
When it comes to cats, serious cases aren’t common, but you should know how to recognize the symptoms. First of all, you should be able to notice an elevated temperature, excessive sneezing, drooling, mouth ulcers, and a reduced appetite. If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, take your cat to the vet right away.
How to Protect Your Pet
The best way to protect your pet is to be vigilant of any flu symptoms. Moreover, you can give your pets vaccines at the vet’s office to immunize them. Another thing to consider is the fact that other peoples’ animals may not show symptoms even if they are sick. According to Fortune.com, [3] if your pet is exposed to pet influenza, there’s an 80% chance they will contract it themselves. Finally, keep your pets clean and keep up good hygiene so that you reduce any risk of them falling ill.
How to Help a Sick Pet
In the unfortunate event that your dog gets sick, you can take advantage of a number of different medications to help them get better sooner. While tending to your sick pet, you should also keep track of whether they’re resting properly. If they aren’t, you should visit your vet. Veterinarians can also prescribe antibiotics in certain cases and help your pet overcome even a bad case of the flu. With that said, there aren’t really any antiviral medications for cats, but you can consult your vet for other ways to help cats recover.
As with many other illnesses and conditions, prevention is the best cure. Feed your pets a healthy diet, make sure they have all their needs met, and try to limit your contact with them if you get the flu. Other than that, maintain good personal and pet hygiene and keep your house clean.
[1] https://time.com/5115410/dog-flu-outbreak/