Humane Society Warns Owners about Ongoing Canine Flu Outbreak

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Humane Educational Society is warning pet owners about an ongoing strain of canine flu that is causing many dogs at their shelter to get sick.

Canine flu causes several symptoms in dogs including a cough that sounds like a goose honk, sneezing, and a lack of energy among other symptoms. Rebecca Bryan, executive director at the Humane Society, says that there are two strains of canine flu, H3N2 influenza and influenza A, that they have detected at the Humane Educational Society.

Dogs with canine flu are contagious for up to 24 days and can spread the virus to another dog within 20 feet, even after their symptoms have gone away.

Bryan warns owners to be proactive in getting their dogs checked if they show symptoms. She said that, “Make sure that if your dog is coughing or sneezing that you take your dog to the vet right away. A dog cough kinda sounds like a goose honk, it’s kind of a silly noise, it might not register as a cough. But make sure if your dog is acting funny at all, breathing funny, acting lethargic, and he’s doing that goose honk, take him to the vet. ”

There is a canine flu vaccine you can get for your dogs. If they are not vaccinated, Bryan recommends that you avoid dog parks, dog day cares, or other situation where multiple dogs may congregate.

The Humane Educational Society is currently limiting the amount of dogs they are accepting to those on a high priority list. Adoptions for both dogs and cats are available, but you must make an appointment for adopting a dog.

Credit: Humane Educational Society