Keep an extra eye on your fur babies because the Michigan Department of Agriculture says there is a significant increase of canine influenza.

According to their report, the first case was reported on July 13th and since then there have been 49 confirmed cases; compared to only nine in all of 2017. Oakland County has seen the biggest outbreak thus far. In West Michigan, specifically, there have been 11 cases: 1 in Kent County & 10 in Ottawa County.

PetMD says canine influenza "primarily infects the respiratory system and is extremely contagious." Symptoms to watch out for include:

  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Lethargy
  • Runny eyes/nose

Severe cases of the dog flu include a fever and even coughing up blood.

The Detroit Free Press spoke with a vet at Michigan Humane Society and she says the best way to prevent your dog from getting the flu is by getting them vaccinated.

...the dog can receive a two-shot series. It gets one shot, waits two to three weeks, then gets the second one...

If your dog does happen to catch the flu, there's not much you can do but let the sickness go away on its own and keep your baby as comfy as possible.

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