HOUSTON -
It's the first day of fall and that means winter is just around the corner.
Many of you have already or are planning to get the flu shot, but there's one member of the family you don't want to forget about.
Did you know your dog can get the flu too?
Well they can, and it is highly contagious among dogs - so much so there's a new vaccine that just hit the market a few months ago.
Most boarding kennels already require your pet to be vaccinated against a slue of diseases before they can step one paw into the facility.
This year, at some kennels, man's best friend may also need a vaccination against the flu. "We haven't seen any cases of it yet," said Jack Richards, owner of Privileged Pets in Katy.
Richards said they aren't requiring their boarding dogs get it yet, but they are watching this virus closely.
"We talked to some vets in the area and they're just advising us, until they hear something from the Veterinarian Association, they're just going to go on as business as usual, but to keep an eye on it," Richards said.
Already this year 26 dogs have gotten sick at a kennels in Virginia - causing at least one death.
Other cases are being reported in Colorado, New york, New jersey and Pennsylvania.
A disease some veterinarians think is slowly working it's way here.
"Anytime when you have pets in a (confined) areas it's always good to call that kennel and ask if they have any diseases come through there," said Dr. Barbara Kahl, a Veneration at the SPCA
She said symptoms of canine influenza are very similar to those of the flu people get - even causing high fevers at times.
She said it usually lasts for 2 to 5 weeks.
"In that time, we have what we call virus shedding, virus shedding is the highest at about 4 days and there are generally no signs during that time," said Kahl.
Which is why it is so important to protect your pet before it comes down with the illness and before it's going to be around a lot of other animals.
Dogs that are home alone have very low risk at getting the canine flu, but those that are often boarded are at higher risk.
Dr. Kahl says since the vaccine is so new there aren't a lot of local clinics that carry it, so you will have to call around.
While people cannot get the dog flu, they can transfer it to other dogs if they do not practice good hygiene.
Many of you have already or are planning to get the flu shot, but there's one member of the family you don't want to forget about.
Did you know your dog can get the flu too?
Well they can, and it is highly contagious among dogs - so much so there's a new vaccine that just hit the market a few months ago.
Most boarding kennels already require your pet to be vaccinated against a slue of diseases before they can step one paw into the facility.
This year, at some kennels, man's best friend may also need a vaccination against the flu. "We haven't seen any cases of it yet," said Jack Richards, owner of Privileged Pets in Katy.
Richards said they aren't requiring their boarding dogs get it yet, but they are watching this virus closely.
"We talked to some vets in the area and they're just advising us, until they hear something from the Veterinarian Association, they're just going to go on as business as usual, but to keep an eye on it," Richards said.
Already this year 26 dogs have gotten sick at a kennels in Virginia - causing at least one death.
Other cases are being reported in Colorado, New york, New jersey and Pennsylvania.
A disease some veterinarians think is slowly working it's way here.
"Anytime when you have pets in a (confined) areas it's always good to call that kennel and ask if they have any diseases come through there," said Dr. Barbara Kahl, a Veneration at the SPCA
She said symptoms of canine influenza are very similar to those of the flu people get - even causing high fevers at times.
She said it usually lasts for 2 to 5 weeks.
"In that time, we have what we call virus shedding, virus shedding is the highest at about 4 days and there are generally no signs during that time," said Kahl.
Which is why it is so important to protect your pet before it comes down with the illness and before it's going to be around a lot of other animals.
Dogs that are home alone have very low risk at getting the canine flu, but those that are often boarded are at higher risk.
Dr. Kahl says since the vaccine is so new there aren't a lot of local clinics that carry it, so you will have to call around.
While people cannot get the dog flu, they can transfer it to other dogs if they do not practice good hygiene.
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