H1N1: Can Cats and Dogs Get This Disease?

The World is going through a very critical time, we are in crisis of Zika, Dengue, several cases of confirmed chikungunya and in the middle of this we all have the flu, worse, influenza A / h1n1 (also known as swine flu).

In the middle of all this, the question remains: but can my cat or dog get the h1n1 virus? Can they get the flu? Keep reading and know everything!

Flu in dogs
Canine flu is also known as Canine Cough, because the most common symptom of the disease is a constant cough, as if the animal were choking. It is a disease of the majority of the times of low gravity, but extremely contagious, spreading quickly in places where there are many animals. Shelters in winter usually double your attention to this, but if you have too many dogs at home, stay tuned too.

Symptoms -- The most obvious symptom is cough, which can be dry or secreted. The onset of the disease is sudden and may even seem to have choked. The dog seems to try to get rid of something stuck in his throat, there is often a white foam production, which also gives the impression he will vomit.

In addition, it can also present fever and secondary infections, apathy, lack of appetite and fatigue when trying to play.

Treatment - Canine influenza is a disease that usually has a brief course, from 3 to 5 days, with remission by the animal's own immune response. Since the best remedy is to prevent it, vaccinate your puppy in the first few months of life. However, because it is a very changeable agent, vaccination is no guarantee that the animal will not get sick.

Flu in cats
Cat flu can be caused by two different viruses. Cats infected with these viruses develop rhinotracheitis, which has clinical signs very similar to those of the flu that affects humans, so we call it the flu, but despite being a viral infection of the respiratory tract, it is not a flu.

Rhinotracheitis is a very common disease in places with many cats, such as general shelters and is transmitted from an infected cat to a healthy cat through direct contact. Sneezing is one of the major sources of infection as it releases this virus into the environment.

Symptoms
Rhinotracheitis can cause blindness and even death, so be aware of the symptoms and if you notice something similar in your kitten, go to the veterinary clinic near me immediately!

But you do not have to despair, this "flu" has prevention through vaccine and in case of already contaminated, treatment.

Treatment
The first step, both for prevention and treatment, is environmental hygiene. A clean, sanitized environment lessens the chances of transmission from one pet to another and helps prevent frequent recurrence in a kitten that has already been infected.

Only the Vet Dubai, a veterinary clinic near me is able to perform the proper diagnosis and treatment, so do not make homemade recipes. Take care of who loves you the way you are. However, there is one thing that after confirmed the illness by the doctor, you can do relieve these symptoms and give another relief to your kitten:

• Clean the eyes and muzzle with a cotton wool soaked in physiological solution regularly;
• Keep the cat in an airy and well-ventilated place;
• Encourage him to feed himself and drink plenty of water.

Take care of who you love!