---
[ ANIMAL WATCH ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch)
# Canine Influenza: How to Protect your Pets and Prevent the Spread of Canine Influenza
February 08 2018
Written by LA Animal Services.
[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
**PET SCARE--**Canine influenza H3N2 is a highly contagious upper respiratory viral disease spread among dogs, and can infect cats as well. L.A. Animal Services recommends pet owners to consult their dog's veterinarian and ask if their pet should be vaccinated.
The majority of flu-infected dogs can exhibit a cough that persists for 10 to 21 days despite treatment with antibiotics and cough suppressants. Canine influenza H3N2 is spread through coughing, barking, and sneezing, as well as through contaminated objects like kennel surfaces, water bowls, collars and leashes. The virus can remain alive and able to infect other animals on surfaces, clothing, and hands for several hours after initial contact.
The keys to preventing the spread of canine influenza H3N2 virus include:
- Vaccinating against canine influenza, which requires two vaccinations, 2-4 weeks apart.
- Washing your hands thoroughly after touching your sick pet.
- Frequently cleaning and disinfecting pet boarding facilities, grooming salons, and veterinary practices.
- Keeping flu infected bowls, toys, leashes, and other equipment away from healthy pets.
In May 2017, L.A. Animal Services began vaccinating all dogs entering City shelters against canine influenza in an effort to protect the shelter dogs and the community. L.A. County Veterinary Public Health recommends that dogs that interact with other dogs should be vaccinated against canine influenza. Dogs that are at the highest risk of contracting the virus are at animal shelters, grooming salons, dog daycares, dog parks and other locations where the animals are in close contact with each other.
If you think your pet has the flu, please keep it away from other animals and contact your veterinarian right away.
*(Provided by LA Animal Services.)*
*-cw*
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/115 "Brian Goldsmith Vertical R. Col")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/114 "McKinney Campaign")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")
## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays
Message
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/113 "Rhonda Haymon campaign")
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/component/banners/click/110 "Something You Should Know")
---
## Featured CityWatch Stories
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/election-2024/33624-prosecutor-democrat-city-attorney-mckinney-makes-his-case-to-los-angeles-voters)
### [Prosecutor, Democrat, City Attorney? McKinney Makes His Case to Los Angeles Voters](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/election-2024/33624-prosecutor-democrat-city-attorney-mckinney-makes-his-case-to-los-angeles-voters)
ELECTION 2026 - The race for LA City Attorney has been laced with political accusations and allegations that when close…
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/la-watchdog/33544-the-la-watchdogs-2026-voters-guide-2)
### [The LA Watchdog’s 2026 Voter Guide](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/la-watchdog/33544-the-la-watchdogs-2026-voters-guide-2)
LA WATCHDOG - My recommendations are influenced by the need for truly balanced budgets, fiscal responsibility, long ter…
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/los-angeles/33626-the-fools-blame-game)
### [The Fools’ Blame Game](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/los-angeles/33626-the-fools-blame-game)
THE VIEW FROM HERE - Angelenos do not use elections to plot a wiser course of conduct for Los Angeles, but rather they…
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/los-angeles/33619-california-film-tax-credits-arent-enough-the-guilds-need-to-change-too)
### [California Film Tax Credits Aren’t Enough. The Guilds Need to Change Too.](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/los-angeles/33619-california-film-tax-credits-arent-enough-the-guilds-need-to-change-too)
LONNIE’S VIEW - California used to be the center of the movie and television universe. If you wanted to make movies, yo…
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/voices/33648-heres-what-zionisms-got-to-do-with-it)
### [Here’s What Zionism’s Got To Do With It](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/voices/33648-heres-what-zionisms-got-to-do-with-it)
ICAN - The anonymous website “BHUSD Watch” recently published a long, detailed article about the current BHUSD board an…
---
## [ ANIMAL WATCH ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/33606-tim-gaspar-for-the-animals)### [Tim Gaspar for the Animals](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/33606-tim-gaspar-for-the-animals)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/33418-coyote-community-chaos-a-fix)### [COYOTE Community CHAOS: A FIX!!! ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/33418-coyote-community-chaos-a-fix)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/33225-the-44-000-dog-california-pays-more-for-service-animals-than-any-state)### [The $44,000 Dog: California Pays More for Service Animals Than Any State](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/33225-the-44-000-dog-california-pays-more-for-service-animals-than-any-state)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/32984-girl-10-suffers-catastrophic-injuries-in-northern-california-dog-attack)### [Girl, 10, Suffers Catastrophic Injuries In Northern California Dog Attack](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/32984-girl-10-suffers-catastrophic-injuries-in-northern-california-dog-attack)
[  ](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/32939-can-14-million-save-all-the-pit-bulls-and-other-animals-at-l-a-animal-services-shelters-under-best-friends-plan)### [Can $14 Million Save All the Pit Bulls and Other Animals at L.A. Animal Services Shelters Under Best Friends’ Plan?](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/animal-watch/32939-can-14-million-save-all-the-pit-bulls-and-other-animals-at-l-a-animal-services-shelters-under-best-friends-plan)