A new canine flu virus has hit the US. You’ve probably heard about it but you may not know all the details, but you want to know how to protect your dog and what to do in case your dog is infected.

So far, about 1,000 pooches across the country and has unfortunately has caused six deaths to date.

Experts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Cornell University have been collecting and testing samples of the virus. Dr. Keith Poulsen, a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said:

“The dog population here has never seen this strain before.”

The symptoms including coughing, nasal discharge, fever and loss of appetite. However, it turns out that dogs can be carriers of the virus without showing symptoms, which is pretty scary.

It spreads through nose-to-nose contact with other dogs. Thankfully, the virus doesn’t appear to infect humans.

Poulsen added:

“There have been reports of cats getting sick from direct contact with dogs, although there hasn’t been a virus-positive cat reported yet.”

Poulsen also recommended:

“If you go to dog parks, keep your dog on a leash, and avoid densely populated dog areas, especially if you have a very young dog or a very old dog whose immune system is compromised. If your dog is sick, don’t take him anywhere.”

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