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Flu shot for Fido? Vets advise flu vaccine for dogs after nearby H3N8 canine flu outbreak
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A flu shot may be a much better holiday present for Fido than a squeaky toy this year: local veterinarians say there is an outbreak of canine flu in the New York area.

Cases have been reported in New York City, northern New Jersey and the lower Hudson Valley, the Journal News reported, citing information from Cornell University Veterinary School.

The New York-area cases appear to be sporadic. But the flu is extremely contagious and can often be spread when dogs are in confined areas, such as kennels or daycare — leading vets to fear it could become more common with people boarding their dogs over the holidays.

Dr. Steven Kasanofsky, of Riverside Animal Hospital in Manhattan, told the Daily News he has not seen a case in the city this year. And the ASPCA said in a statement that its local vets are “not aware of an outbreak of the canine flu in the New York metro area.”

Yet an animal shelter in Bergen County, N.J., closed for two weeks in October due to an outbreak, NorthJersey.com reported. There have also been three confirmed cases of the virus — H3N8 — in Westchester, the Journal News reported Monday.

“I wouldn’t call it a panic at this point, but if you get two or three cases in one hospital, I would consider it a small outbreak,” Kasanofsky said, noting the flu is “super-contagious.”

The canine flu is generally not fatal. Its main symptoms are cough, fever and runny nose, so it is often mistakenly identified as “kennel cough,” the generic term for the respiratory woes many dogs contract after a stay at a boarding facility.

“There is a mild form that starts with a moist cough that can last up to a month, and a more severe form where the dog may have a high fever and develop pneumonia,” Kasanofsky said.

Canine flu was first identified in 2004. It started in horses, then jumped to some canine breeds. Cases have been recorded in at least 30 states, according to the ASPCA, but there has never been a confirmed case in humans.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FLU

Treatment for flu-infected pups is a lot like treatment for the influenza strains that affect humans: get rest, stay hydrated, eat well, disinfect surfaces and use a steam treatment to help clear congestion.

The H3N8 vaccine includes a pair of shots given a few weeks apart — but it doesn’t come cheap: each shot costs about $50. A pooch will not be fully protected until both shots are given.

The vaccine is preventative and will not help treat the flu once a dog is infected.

A dog owner should not panic if their pup has not yet been vaccinated, Kasanofsky said.

“Clients should talk to their vet and decide whether to vaccinate based on their dog's lifestyle. I'm not a big believer in one size fits all,” he said.

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