Dog Flu 2016 Symptoms, Treatment & Update: Highly Contagious Virus Spreads in the US

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A new strain of dog flu is making its way across the U.S. and cases of infection have been reported in as many as 25 states since the start of the second quarter of 2015. While there have been no known case of human infection to date, pet owners can be a potential carrier in spreading the virus from one infected dog to another which has yet to contract the disease.

"Canine influenza (also known as dog flu) is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by specific Type A influenza viruses known to infect dogs," according to some key facts provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about dog flu. "These are called 'canine influenza viruses.' Dog flu is a disease of dogs. No human infections with canine influenza have ever been reported. There are two different influenza A dog flu viruses: one is an H3N8 virus and the other is an H3N2 virus."

According to vet Rob McMonigle, it is advisable to ask for medical help and schedule an appointment for treatment when the owners found their canine companion to be a bit under the weather and not eating well. If the dogs also have cough and signs of fever, and just looking tired and inactive, McMonigle also recommends seeking for help, the CBS News reported.

"None of the dogs have immunity to fight it off, so you see large numbers of dogs getting ill when the virus starts to circulate," said Beth Lipton, vet for Public Health Seattle and King County. "When dogs are going to day care or dog parks or boarding overnight in kennel facilities, it can spread very rapidly."

For its treatment, cough suppressants can be administered in mild cases of the dog flu, according to Pet MD. While in isolation from other dogs to avoid spreading of the virus, the medical experts can also prescribe antibiotics if they found a presence of secondary bacterial infection. The pet owners will also be advised to give their dogs enough rest.

Also, when the dogs suffer from the more severe case, a more intensive treatment is necessary with the help of a more aggressive form of antibiotics, fluids and other general support treatments. The dogs will also be required to stay in the hospital and placed in isolation until their condition get better.

Some of the signs to watch out for include coughing, sneezing, anorexia, fever, malaise and, in some cases, red and/or runny eyes and runny nose.