With human influenza on the rise, we tend to get worried for our cuddly companions and their health as well.

Dr. Ingrid Sproll from WinRose Animal Hospital gave us some facts on the canine influenza to share with you dog lovers out there.

"Its similar to human influenza. It is a virus. The one that is of concern in Canada is H3N2. It's a respiratory infection that is spread through coughs, sneezes, nose-to-nose contact with other dogs. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, fever, runny nose, eye dischage, and heavy breathing."

She assures us, "In Winnipeg there haven't been any known cases. There have only been two confirmed cases in Canada, in Ontario. They're more likely to pick up respiratory infections in daycares, dog parks, and kennels. You have to weigh the risks of protecting your dog rather than giving your dog social exercise and helping them run off that extra energy. Avoid those places in ocassional times of kennel cough outbreak, but not necessarily all year."

Thankfully, she notified us that we don't have to worry about our dogs catching the same colds we do. "Dogs do not usually get human influenza. If they do, they won't show any symptoms of it. People who got infected with canine influenza would not show any symptoms of that either."

If you are seriously worried for your pet's health, she gave us some options in protecting them. "There is a vaccine available if there were an outbreak or if someone is travelling to an area where it is common. It doesn't protect the canine from getting sick, but it will make any symptoms a lot more mild and help them recover faster. We recommend having dogs on a well balanced food made by a team of veterinary nutritionists. All the food that we sell meet all the board approved standards."

She notes,"the best thing to watch for is eating and drinking if you're worried your dog has the flu. If your dog is eating and drinking well, then they could most likely fight the influenza on their own. If they get really lethargic and stay away from food or water, that is a definite sign to bring them to a vet. If a dog is severely affected, we can provide them supportive care like IV fluid, oxygen therapy, or antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection."

Sproll mentioned there are differences between influenzas and mild symptoms, "dogs can get a mild range of symptoms. Dust and things from the house can cause a mild incident like a sneeze, a cough, and possible discharge from the eyes or nose. But this is not the influenza."

By the way, in case you were wondering, Sproll states, "there's no cat flu. Cats can get the dog flu, but they tend not to show symptoms or only mild symptoms."