Flu cases are on the rise in New York City, with hospitalizations reaching record highs. Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
But humans aren’t the only ones who can catch a version of the flu.
Some veterinarians are warning that dog owners should also be aware of canine influenza, a separate virus that can infect pets and spread quickly in certain environments.
There have been at least 45 confirmed cases of H3N2, the most common strain of dog flu, reported across the U.S. so far this year, including in New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont, according to one national outbreak tracker. New York state recorded 1,157 tests for canine flu through mid-December, but none has come back positive as of Dec. 13.
And while dogs can’t catch the flu from people, or vice versa, it’s still important for pet owners to understand the risks, according to Dr. Katja Lang, chief medical officer at Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group.
“There is no relationship,” Lang said. “Human flu, dog flu — both called influenza — but a human cannot give a dog flu, and a dog cannot give their flu to a human.”
Lang stressed that there’s currently no outbreak of dog flu in New York.
She said symptoms of canine flu vary widely. Some dogs show no signs at all, while others develop coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, decreased appetite or even pneumonia in severe cases.
“You can have a dog that has been exposed to the flu, that’s shedding and is contagious to other dogs and has zero symptoms,” she said. “That’s where it gets very tricky.”
The virus spreads easily in crowded environments like shelters, kennels or dog day cares, especially when there’s poor air circulation. And while some brachycephalic breeds, like pugs and French bulldogs, may be more prone to respiratory illness in general, Lang said no specific breed is more likely to contract the flu.
“It’s considered highly contagious and when there are outbreaks, it spreads very quickly,” Lang said.
Lang recommends the canine flu vaccine for dogs who frequently interact with other dogs, like those in parks, boarding facilities or grooming salons. The vaccine won’t necessarily prevent infection, but can reduce the severity of symptoms if a dog is exposed.
“It’s a very safe and effective vaccine,” Lang said.
Lang urges any owner who suspects their dog has the flu to call their vet first, rather than walking into a clinic, which could expose other pets.
“There is a test that can be easily run where we swab their throat or their eyes and we send it out to a lab to confirm that this is the flu,” Lang said.
The H3N2 canine influenza virus was first detected in South Korea in 2007 and has since been identified in dogs across Asia and North America, including in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.