Here’s an interesting article I dug up on what the flu season can mean for our canine friends. No, you don’t have to take Fido to get his flu shot alongside yours, but there are a few things you should know:

As the air cools and autumn approaches, the flu season is also right around the corner—not just for you, but for your pets as well. Unlike humans, there is no vaccine for canine influenza which is a relatively new virus. Canine flu is an airborne disease, much like kennel cough, and is spread from dog to dog.

Most dogs affected by the flu will have a soft, moist cough with or without yellow/green nasal discharge. Those more severely affected may also have rapid/difficult breathing which is usually caused by a secondary complication of pneumonia. It’s important to note that these symptoms can also represent other respiratory diseases and your dog should be taken to your veterinarian at the earliest signs of illness to be accurately diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment.

Most dogs will successfully recover, with fatalities from the flu being uncommon. However, a complication of developing pneumonia can be very serious and generally requires antibiotics. While you won’t contract the flu from your dog, your sick pet can infect other dogs in the household. Keep Fido away from other dogs until he is back to his healthy self again.

Reprinted from Medical Vet Specialist Newsletter September, 2007