How bad is this flu season? Even dogs are getting sick. Here’s what you can do

This year’s flu season is so severe it could make the family dog sick.

Canine influenza – which is transmitted between dogs -- has spread in different states and created recent headlines in the Bay Area. Some veterinarians think it is just a matter of time before fever and runny snouts are seen in Stanislaus County.

Some local veterinary clinics have been offering flu shots for canines.

“My fear is it will happen in Stanislaus County,” said veterinarian Rob Santos of Monte Vista Small Animal Hospital in Turlock, which sent an email last week informing customers about canine influenza.

Dogs may have minor flu symptoms such as runny nose and light fever, but in more serious cases, the illness can lead to bacterial pneumonia and an overnight stay in the animal hospital, Santos said.

The seasonal flu afflicting people has been at epidemic levels in the Northern Joaquin Valley, the state and rest of the nation. Canine influenza has also spread rapidly in different parts of the country. According to news reports, about 50 dogs were sickened by outbreaks this month in the South Bay Area.

The symptoms for canines include lethargy, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and low-grade fever. Mortality is less than 10 percent and most dogs recover in two to three weeks.

Dogs with compromised health are more susceptible to a life-threatening bout with influenza.

Frankie Bonifacio, veterinarian at Waterford Pet Hospital, said she was not aware of any confirmed cases of dog flu in Stanislaus County. The canine flu resembles another contagious illness called kennel cough, and tests must be sent out to confirm a suspected flu case.

“I am seeing the same or a fewer number of coughing dogs as last year,” said Bonifacio, who is president of the Northern San Joaquin Valley Veterinary Medical Association. “I think we will see a lot of coughing dogs like we do every year. And we may actually get some confirmed to be influenza.”

Bonifacio said she has never seen a confirmed case of canine flu. The illness has not been a widespread problem in California in previous years.

This winter, two strains are a threat to dogs – H3N2 and H3N8. Residents may recall that an H3N2 virus is putting people in hospitals beds this winter, but the canine version is a different virus.

The Chicago area was hit with a well-known outbreak of canine flu in 2015. Canine influenza caused serious illness and death in racing greyhounds at tracks in Florida and other states in 2004.

If the flu virus appears in Stanislaus County, places where canines mingle – day cares, kennels and dog parks – are sites where the contagious disease could spread, veterinarians said. The safest measure for pet owners is getting a flu vaccination or booster shot for their pets, they said.

Sandra Yoppini of Keyes said she was adding the flu vaccine to shots for her 3-month-old puppy and an 18-month-old dog. “I was more concerned about the older one because the puppy is not going out, but I take the other dog on walks and it comes in contact with other dogs,” Yoppini said.

Santos said he gave three or four vaccinations, costing $21, Tuesday and believed other veterinarians at the Monte Vista center were administering the shots.

Bonifacio said a vaccination could take some planning for owners who board an animal at a kennel. A pair of shots, two to three weeks apart, are required for dogs that have never had the flu vaccination and it takes a month to be effective.

Dogs that received a flu shot in previous years only need a booster shot, and it takes effect in two days, she said. According to the American Veterinary Medication Foundation, the flu vaccines are not recommended for every dog, so owners should ask their vet.

The Village Oak Veterinary Hospital in Modesto said only a few customers had asked for canine flu shots.

Experts say people cannot catch the flu from their pets. A sick pet owner, however, can pass the flu virus to their canine friend if they are not careful.

As a precaution, people can keep their dogs at home and avoid contact with other dogs. A pet owner, wrapped in a comforter and sick with the flu, can use hand sanitizer to keep from passing the virus to their lapdog.

This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 9:39 AM with the headline "How bad is this flu season? Even dogs are getting sick. Here’s what you can do."