When we have a cold or flu, we feel really bad, and in addition to taking medications and some natural remedies, we need to take care of ourselves and rest. Since these viruses are highly contagious, we try not to get too close to others or go to crowded places, because in addition to infecting others and weakening our health, we may be infected with other viruses again and our condition will worsen. Additionally, those who live with dogs often wonder whether they can infect themselves and, in turn, whether dogs can infect us with the virus. At unCOMO, we want to help you learn everything you need to know about taking good care of your dog, one of which is preventing the spread of disease in both directions. Therefore, in this article, we will answer the following frequently asked questions: Can I give my dog the flu?
Since their cases are very similar and both are caused by viruses, the first thing to know is how to tell the difference between a cold and the flu. so, influenza It is a respiratory disease caused by a viral infection caused by a virus called “influenza.” family Orthomyxoviridae. If this problem is not handled well, it can easily lead to more serious problems, because the virus will spread to all respiratory tracts, including upper and lower respiratory tracts.
On the contrary, a Catarrh or the common cold It is also a respiratory disease caused by a viral infection, but is primarily caused by this type of virus Rhinovirus and coronavirus. Additionally, this type of virus does not attack all respiratory tracts, but usually only the upper or upper respiratory tract.
How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu
Although the basic symptoms are very similar, so it can be confusing when distinguishing between the flu and a cold, the fact is that the distinction can be made taking a few factors into consideration. For example, the flu causes a fever, while the common cold, on the other hand, does not cause a fever, or only produces a tenth of the fever. Colds can cause a runny nose and upper respiratory tract discomfort (such as the nose and throat), but the flu can cause other symptoms besides a cold or fever, such as fatigue and general muscle, joint, and bone pain. Likewise, it can take 1 to 3 days from the time of infection with the flu virus for symptoms to begin, and several days or even weeks of rest. If the situation becomes complicated, it can lead to diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
When you catch a cold, symptoms such as nasal discharge and itchy throat usually appear first, followed by a cough on the 4th or 5th day, which can last for 1 to 2 weeks. Colds can clear up on their own when the virus has completed its cycle, has not become more complex, or has not had a very long incubation period.
Dogs and other animals also suffer from these types of diseases, so we are concerned. Find out if dogs can be infected When we have the flu or a cold, and vice versa, they can spread them to us. So below we detail everything you need to know about this issue.
As we mentioned, these animals can also suffer from illnesses such as influenza and the common cold, but we must know that these are viral illnesses, e.g. Canine influenza and parainfluenza causing disease e.g. kennel cough.That is, in the case of dogs, these flu-related illnesses we get are caused by viruses that come in from the household Paramyxoviridae and Orthomyxoviridaesuch as H3N8 and H3N2 viruses.
Once we notice that a dog has symptoms of a cold or flu, namely canine influenza or parainfluenza or kennel cough, it is crucial to see a veterinarian as soon as possible to avoid complications. Some of the main symptoms are:
- cough
- nasal congestion
- sneeze
- bloodshot eyes
- Loss of appetite
- lethargy
- A few tenths or fever
- Muscle pain
- apathy and depression
Furthermore, these viruses are Highly contagious between dogstherefore, if we live with several affected dogs during treatment, it is necessary to separate the affected dog from other dogs.
Colds and flu are highly contagious in humans, and the same happens in dogs. They are highly contagious diseases among dogs and are equivalent to the respiratory viral diseases we commonly call flu and colds. However, can contagion occur between species?
Research conducted so far has concluded that Contagion is impossible. If we look at what was mentioned earlier, the most common viruses that cause our colds and flu are not the ones that cause canine influenza and parainfluenza, nor are they diseases like kennel cough, although some viruses may come from the same large family or similar families . These are definitely different viruses. So whether you’re wondering whether you can pass the flu to your furry friend, or whether dog flu can be passed to humans, the answer is clear: You can’t give the flu to your dog, and he can’t give the flu to you..