Outbreak of dog flu in America

Americans endure a flu outbreak that has spread to their dogs.

Veterinarians across the country are sounding the alarm about canine flu, which is endemic to at least nine states including New York, Texas, Florida, South Carolina and Pennsylvania.

There are two strains of canine flu, H3N8 and H3N2, which have similar symptoms to humans: cough, runny nose, fatigue and fever. Some shelters have suspended dog adoption amid the surge.

The viruses are easily transmitted between animals in close contact and contaminated objects such as food and water bowls and toys.

Veterinarians are urging pet owners to get one of the three canine flu vaccines available, one for each strain and another that offers broader protection.

The severity of the illness varies, but canine flu can be fatal to your pup if left untreated.

Dog flu is on the rise across America. It has been found in at least nine states

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, canine flu is transmitted through droplets or aerosols containing respiratory secretions from coughs, barks, and sneezes.

The organization added that dogs in close contact are at higher risk. This would be found in kennels, groomers, daycares and animal shelters.

There’s no evidence the viruses can be transmitted to humans, but cats can sometimes pick it up — but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it’s rare.

Symptoms typically appear two to five days after exposure, reports The Washington Post.

Pet owners should watch out for a runny nose, watery eyes, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

And if any symptoms are spotted, you should take your dog to a veterinary office or hospital to be tested.

Cynda Crawford, a clinical associate professor of animal shelter medicine at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, told The Post if your dog is infected, don’t bring them into public places with other dogs for at least three weeks.

H3N8 viruses originated in horses and first spread to dogs in 2004, initially greyhounds.

The other strain, H3N2, started in birds and was first detected in dogs in South Korea five years ago, but made its way to the US in 2015.

As dogs battle the flu, cats struggle with their weight, leading them to develop diabetes.

About one in every 200 cats living in the US has diabetes – and about 58.3 live in the nation as a whole.

And obese cats are up to four times more likely to develop diabetes than ideal-weight cats.

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a pill for cats with diabetes, making it the first oral medication approved for animals with the condition.

The drug, called Bexacat, was designed for cats with pancreas that can’t produce enough insulin to control the body’s sugars.

Veterinarians are urging pet owners to get one of the three canine flu vaccines available, one for each strain and another that offers broader protection

Cats with diabetes typically require lifelong therapy and a combination of insulin and dietary restrictions — but Bexacat is given once a day and studies have shown it to be more than 80 percent effective.

The FDA also notes that cats treated with the pill may be at increased risk of serious side effects, including diabetic ketoacidosis, or euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be fatal.

The FDA said that prior to approval, two six-month field studies were conducted that showed bexacat was effective at improving glycemic control in cats.

“However, potential patients must be carefully selected and evaluated for kidney, liver and pancreas disorders, as well as for ketoacidosis (high levels of a type of acid known as ketones in the blood),” the announcement reads.

The press release states that Bexacat can only be used if the animal has never been given insulin as a prior treatment.

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