Dog flu is caused by a virus that has killed some racing greyhounds after making an unusual jump from horses to dogs. This virus can cause a respiratory disease that looks like kennel cough. Although there is no treatment, antibiotics and supplemental fluids will prevent secondary bacterial infections and other complications from developing.

The actual mortality rate of this disease seems to be between 5% and 8%. However, the deaths are usually caused by complications (such as pneumonia) or an already weakened immune system. As with the human flu, both very young dogs and very old dogs are more susceptible to the illness.

There is no evidence that this disease can infect people. Keep in mind that it has been in horses for over 40 years, and in all these years there has not been a single case of human infection.

In the end, owners should not be overly concerned about taking their pets to be groomed or boarded, as long as there are no active outbreaks of respiratory illness at the facility. Owners should also exercise common sense when their pets are experiencing any respiratory illness, keeping them inside for at least two weeks - both to allow them to fully recover and to protect other dogs.