TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- There's a new flu going around and it puts your dog at risk. Earlier this week, the State of Florida announced the first cases of the H3N2 virus, better known as the Dog Flu.
While the dog flu has been circulating through the country since 2015, this is the first time cases have been confirmed in the Sunshine State.
This virus is very contagious and is most commonly spread from direct contact between dogs.
This means that there is a greater chance of a dog catching this flu if they spend a large amount of time in dog parks, boarding facilities, and doggy day cares.
Luckily though, most cases of the dog flu are mild and only require a trip to the vet's office and some medicine to combat the sickness and symptoms.
Some of these symptoms include coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes, and typically begin showing within four days.
It is very possible for dogs to pass this flu along to other dogs before the symptoms begin showing.
Of course, like the human flu, there is a vaccine for dogs, but it won't be able to offer protection right away.
"The tricky part about the vaccine is you have to do a two series if the dog has never had it before," says Karis Dickey, an Associate Veterinarian at the North Florida Animal. "You do one vaccine one day, and then three weeks later you booster it. A couple weeks after that booster is when they are considered to be fully protected."
Dickey continues by saying that much like the human vaccine, the dog flu vaccine does not guarantee that your dog won't get sick. The vaccine does reduce the chances of contracting the sickness and makes is less severe if a dog does contract the illness.
If you suspect your dog has the dog flu, call your vet before bringing in your dog to the office. Doing so helps keep other dogs from catching the same sickness.
While it is rare, there is a small chance that the dog flu could be passed on to cats. At this time, there is no evidence that the dog flu can be spread to humans.
