A highly contagious strain of dog flu hit 40 out of 50 states in less than a year with reported cases in Wyoming’s neighboring states. Although this variety has a 9 percent mortality rate, the whole ordeal can be prevented with a newly available vaccine, according to Dr. Ray Acker, veterinarian at Bighorn Animal Care Center.

This new strain of the virus first showed up in Chicago last spring and originates from China, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“One thousand dogs were infected in Chicago, just ‘bang,’” Acker said. “You could walk in a park where one of these dogs had sneezed on a tree or on the ground and step on it and you carry it right into the house and it can go on articles of clothing. It is highly contagious.”

So far the virus has not been reported in Wyoming yet, but cases have popped up in Montana and Colorado.

“We are going to get it, it is not a matter of if, but when,” Acker said, noting that the disease will likely spread locally as spring approaches and tourists, locals and all their dogs encounter each other.

But, contact isn’t necessary for the disease to spread. The bacteria can be spread from something as simple as unknowingly tracking it into the house after walking where an infected dog did its business. It can be caught from any bodily fluid — feces, urine, coughs and sneezes, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“This is frightening for kennels and doggy daycares,” Acker said, noting that vaccinations are required before dogs are admitted. Dog owners looking to use those services will need to plan ahead as the vaccine requires a booster shot three weeks later before it takes full effect.

From there, it’s just an annual vaccination to keep the disease at bay.

“I am highly recommending people start working on getting their animals protected before all the movement starts and vacationing,” Acker said.

The vaccine (H3N2 Canine Influenza A) for this strain of dog flu was approved in November and recently became available at local veterinary centers.

Symptoms of canine influenza include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite and a fever of 104-106 degrees. Some dogs can have a warm and dry nose with no fever, so it is important to take their temperature and visit a veterinarian, Acker said.

If a dog is infected, there is no treatment aside from supportive care such as cough suppressants, fever reducers, keeping them hydrated and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.

Diagnosis can be done with a nasal swab within three days; otherwise it requires a blood test.

The duration of the disease is problematic, Acker said. The illness lasts anywhere from 10 days to three weeks and it takes between 10 days and two weeks for symptoms of the infection to surface.

If a dog is infected, Acker suggests preventing the disease from spreading by disinfecting the area and isolating the infected dog.

Fortunately, the flu is not highly fatal as the mortality rate is around 9 percent, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. But risk of death is higher for older dogs and puppies.

There is no evidence of dog to human transmission or to cats or horses, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.