How do I Treat My Dog’s Flu?
Proper care when your pup is down with the flu is key in their healing process. Typically, the flu may run its course, but in some cases, it can become more severe and even be fatal. Therefore, it’s important to take a pet to the vet if they exhibit signs of influenza.
Treatment
The best thing you can do for a dog with flu is to keep them hydrated and practice proper administration of medications prescribed by a veterinarian. You can ask the vet about influenza shots, as well. However, canine flu is not seasonal as human flu typically is. With dogs, the ability to come down with the flu year-round makes more than one shot per year necessary.
Recovery Influenza should subside after a week or two. The vet can diagnose the illness by ruling out other health conditions with similar symptoms and prescribe medication if needed.
A bitch with good immunity against parvo will transfer these antibodies to her pups in the uterus. They will then be protected to a large degree for a period of six to twelve weeks. Exposure to the virus, whether naturally or through vaccination wil enhance this immunity. Healthy puppies, like the one on the left should thus be vaccinated at six weeks of age, again four weeks later and preferably a third time another four weeks later. It is very unlikely that a pup that has had three properly administered vaccinations will contract the disease. It is however important to stress that puppies must be healthy and free from worms before they can be vaccinated.
The virus need certain enzymes to grow. These enzymes are found in rapid growing cells like the ones lining the intestinal tract. These cells grow quickly enough so that the intestinal lining is renewed every two to three days. If the virus grow inside these cells they break up leaving large areas of damaged lining that lead to severe loss of body fluids. The normal intestinal flora which under ordinary circumstances are pretty harmless, can now invade the body through the damaged areas.
Albeit so small the virus is extremely tough and will survive most disinfectants. It may stay alive in the environment for as long as two years if conditions are favourable. In 1978 when the first cases of Parvovirus in dogs were seen, the virus spread all over the world in a matter of months, often without the involvement of dogs in the transmission.
The name “Cat flu” is misleading because even though cats suffer from a similar disease, the disease is not contracted from cats. The symptoms in dogs are due to intestinal involvement and very unlike flu symptoms. Dry, windy weather sees more cases which occur mostly in puppies, but previously unexposed, unvaccinated adult dogs are also at risk. Even with the best treatment available some animals still dont survive, so vaccination is of paramount importance in the prevention of this terrible disease.
This serious disease is caused by one of the smallest viruses known to man called Canine Parvovirus (CPV).(Parvo is the Latin for small). As many as 300 000 virus particles will fit into a millimeter!
How Do I Treat Cat Flu in My Dog?
Unfortunately, parvo has no known cure. That being said, with basic life support from a hospital or clinic, some dogs do survive this devastating disease.
Treatment A dog with parvo will need constant fluid support to fight against dehydration from all of that stomach upset. This may be done with an IV tube for faster help! Sugars and proteins can also be put into the tube to help build the body up. Medication can be prescribed to help keep out other infections and limit nausea.
Recovery The first four days of the infection are the most crucial. If your pup gets through this difficult time, a full recovery is likely. Being with your dog to soothe them can really make a difference in the healing process. Foods that are easy on the tummy can be given to your pooch after he’s stopped vomiting. Be careful though, dogs who have had cat flu stay contagious for up to six weeks! Because of this, its best to keep other dogs away during this time.
Have any questions about cat flu that youd like to ask a veterinarian? Or would you like to read other owners’ stories about dealing with this scary virus? If so, check out Parvo in Dogs.
Pet & Animal Care : How to Treat Cat Flu
Gosh, when your pet sneezes, it is one of the most adorable things in the world. However, just like humans, it is a sign that something is not altogether right with your beloved pet!
As anyone who has ever owned a pet knows, our furry friends are susceptible to many of the same illnesses that afflict humans. And while its relatively rare for dogs and cats to catch the flu from their owners, they can contract many viruses from other animals.
Try as we might, we cannot protect and shelter them all the time, so when they go for a walk or a romp in the park, there are many other canine buddies to catch a doggy cold from. And if your cat is a roaming one, the feline flu bug likely came from another one of its pals living in the neighborhood.
While there is no cure for the flu, early diagnosis and treatment can help to alleviate symptoms and prevent serious complications. So if you think your pet may be sick, dont hesitate to give your vet a call just to be safe.