Vet Says Dog Flu Is A Real Concern

Does your dog really need a flu shot?  Well, yes, actually the dog does need a flu shot according to veterinarians.  Dr. Marc Bordelon spoke with Bernadette Lee and Ken Romero during "Mornings With Ken and Bernie" about the trouble.

After a rash of canine flu outbreaks in different cities, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that dogs be vaccinated against canine influenza.  Local veterinarian Doctor Marc Bordelon spoke with Ken and Bernie about the various strains of flu that can infect your pup.

Buddy, Bernie's dog, was vaccinated for the flu, and as Ken, along with Dr. Bordelon point out, it is a good idea, as one illness can morph into pneumonia which can kill your canine friend.

There are outbreaks of dog flu right now in the New York metropolitan area and near San Antonio, Texas, and other states have reported epidemics throughout the year. Since the virus, known as H3N8, was first identified in 2004, thousands of dogs in 38 states have become sick with the flu, and veterinarians say that number continues to climb.   "We're seeing an increasing number of dogs being affected by this virus," said Dr. Cynda Crawford, clinical assistant professor in shelter medicine at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Canine influenza is endemic in several states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado. But like the virus that causes the flu in humans, the dog flu virus is very easily spread and highly contagious.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that dogs that are in frequent contact with other dogs be vaccinated against canine influenza to help prevent the spread.