Dog Flu: Georgia, Florida, SC Pet Owners Warned of Outbreak

Veterinarians are warning pet owners about a highly contagious dog flu spreading through Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

The flu can occur year-round and can spread from dog to dog through coughing, sneezing, direct contact, and breathing, according to WALB. It also can also be spread through contaminated objects like a food or water bowl.

Symptoms usually last about two weeks and include fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal, and eye discharge, and decreased appetite. Dogs are contagious before and after they have symptoms, WALB reported.

People can’t get the dog flu, but it can be transmitted to cats, according to WJCL.

Vets are not yet recommending vaccination outside the areas of outbreaks, but dogs who will be staying at large boarding facilities should be vaccinated, Bluffton Veterinary Hospital Dr. Travis Davison told WJCL.

The flu strain, H3N2, has sickened more than 2,000 dogs in 40 states since last year, Fox News reported. It has been seen most recently in Missouri and Texas before the current outbreak, which was linked to a dog show in Georgia.

Healthy dogs are not at major risk from the flu, but rarely, dogs may get pneumonia and a few have died from it, Fox reported.

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