How to treat canine influenza

No specific treatment exists for canine influenza. Most cases are mild and self-limiting, with dogs recovering within two to three weeks. For dogs with more severe illness, supportive care is recommended, and may include the following:

• Fluids to manage dehydration

• Nutritional supplementation

• Antimicrobials to combat secondary bacterial infections/pneumonia

• Nebulization with saline solution and/or coupage to help loosen lower airway secretions

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications as needed to reduce fever and inflammation

Note that antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir that used in humans with influenza A are neither approved nor recommended for dogs or cats with canine influenza.

To prevent transmission of the virus, dogs with H3N2 canine influenza need to be isolated for at least 21 days and dogs with H3N8 canine influenza for at least seven days.