My dog has the flu. What should I do and what medicine can I give?

Cough and runny nose can be caused by an infection, heart problem or lung condition, it is important to first know the cause before treating it as treatment is different from condition to another. The most common disease causing cough is a viral/bacterial infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.

Poor girl. Benadryl is an antihistamine so unfortunately it won't do her any favors here because it is unlikely that this is an allergic reaction . It is best to get her seen by a veterinarian to look for the underlining cause of her illness. There are very few strains of the flu that can be transferred to our pets, but there is that slight possibility. Also if she is sick she will need prescription medication through your veterinarian to get her well again. They may have to do some baseline bloodwork to get a good picture of what is going on with her and potentially even x-rays if she is having any coughing symptoms or abnormal lung sounds. I hope she feels better soon and I would recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as possible. Best of luck and take care.

Yes, I have heard of this treatment. The efficacy is variable so I cannot say it is a 100% effective treatment. If you want to go the homeopathic route then it is worth a try. Here is a link you can refer to for dosing. They also recommend an alternative treatment if the phosphorus does not seem to be helping (nux vomica 30c). That treatment I am not familiar with. ( https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/natural-treatment-for-dog-flu/ ) At the end of the day, if your dog is ill I strongly recommend you work closely with your local vet to make a treatment plan. Antibiotics are often administered to dogs with the flu to prevent secondary infections from bacterial agents.

No, I'm sorry, but you can't give Miki the paracetamol. It is toxic to dogs. In fact, it is very unwise ever to give a medication formulated for humans to a dog. as many can cause serious side effects. Your best bet is to take no action until he is seen by the vet.

So the dog flu comes in two varieties. The first strain is not usually serious and can cause some nasal congestion, coughing and sneezing. Many dogs clear it on their own within a week or two. The second strain of flu (the one in the news lately) is more serious. However, dogs with this strain are usually much sicker (lethargy, fever, not wantin to eat, severe cough). The other options are kennel cough (a “doggy cold”) or allergies. Make sure Baxley is eating well and continues to have a good attitude. If he shows any of the signs I mentioned earlier, take him into the vet. In the mean time, you can run a humidifier near where he sleeps or put him in the bathroom with you while you run a hot shower. The steam can be very helpful in loosening the mucous. Hope this helps and best of luck!

Legally, we are prohibited from recommending medications, even over the counter ones, in the absence of a physical exam and a patient-veterinarian-client relationship. The good news is that you can continue to feed Chou-Choi and offer Gatorade as you have been doing. Dilute the Gatorade with an equal amount of water. Feed him as much as he'll eat without getting sick. As long as he is eating a good quality food, he will begin to gain weight. Keep him warm and as stress free as possible. Keep his eyes, nose and mouth clear. If he seems congested, run a hot shower and place him in the bathroom (NOT in the tub) for 15-20 minutes. The steam will help loosen congestion. Since a veterinarian is unavailable, consider calling a local clinic and speaking directly with a doctor. Depending on local laws, the vet may be able to send you medication if indicated. You may need to bring him to a veterinarian if he does not show signs of improvement or continues to lose weight in spite of a healthy diet.

There are a few rare cases of dogs catching the flu from their humans, but generally the answer is no. I would recommend having a family member take him to his vet for a check up to see what's going on.