The current bird flu outbreak in the US, which began in 2022, has had a devastating impact on both wild birds and domestic poultry. But the virus that causes bird flu hasn’t just stayed in birds. It has infected dozens of mammalian species, including cows, dolphins, and even dogs and cats.
If you’re a dog parent, you may be worried about whether bird flu can infect your dog. The good news is that cases of bird flu in dogs are rare. Even still, it’s good to understand what bird flu is, what it looks like in dogs, and how to prevent a bird flu infection in your dog.
Bird flu basics
The bird flu, also known as avian flu and highly pathogenic avian influenza, is an influenza type A virus. The specific strain of virus that’s causing the current outbreak is referred to as ‘H5N1.’ The ‘H’ and ‘N’ stand for proteins on the virus’s surface: hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
The bird flu virus is primarily found in wild birds, such as ducks, geese, and storks. Wild birds typically don’t get sick from the virus but can transmit it to domestic birds, like chickens and turkeys. Pet birds are also at risk of getting infected from wild birds.
What makes the virus so concerning is its ability to mutate. The mutations allow the virus to spread quickly from one host animal to another and evade the defenses of the host animal’s immune system.
Can dogs get bird flu?
Dogs can get bird flu, but it is rare. Here are the ways in which a dog could get infected with bird flu:
- Eating a sick or dead infected bird
- Hunting wild birds, poultry
- Drinking unpasteurized milk
- Eating raw or undercooked meat
- Breathing in aerosolized droplets containing the virus
- Direct contact with feces or bodily fluids from an infected animal
To date, there is no evidence of dog-to-dog transmission of the bird flu virus.
Bird flu symptoms in dogs
Because there are so few cases of bird flu in dogs, we can only make an educated guess about its symptoms in dogs based on other influenza outbreaks, such as the canine flu. Here are some potential bird flu symptoms to look for in your dog:
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Coughing
- Reduced appetite
- Drinking less water
- Difficulty breathing
- Eye and nose discharge
- Red, inflamed eyes
- Occasional vomiting
- Neurological signs (e.g., tremors, seizures, blindness)
These symptoms are non-specific, meaning they are not specific to the bird flu and can be associated with other medical conditions. If your dog has any of these symptoms, take them to your veterinarian immediately. Your vet will perform diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions and confirm a bird flu diagnosis.
Is bird flu harmful to dogs?
Although dogs can certainly get sick from bird flu, dogs are more likely than cats to recover from a bird flu infection.
You can breathe easier knowing that, but early intervention is key to a good recovery. Do not delay in seeking veterinary treatment if your dog has any of the signs listed above. If your dog has bird flu, they will have a better chance of recovering if supportive care to treat the symptoms is started as early as possible.
Preventing bird flu in dogs
Although it’s unlikely that your dog will get infected with bird flu, there are strategies you can take to prevent an infection:
- Keep your dog away from dead birds and wildlife.
- Keep your dog up to date on their vaccinations.
- Do not feed your dog raw or undercooked meat.
- Do not let your dog drink unpasteurized milk.
- Keep your dog out of areas where a known bird flu outbreak has been reported.
- Practice good hygiene. Before touching your dog, wash your hands after handling a wild animal.
- Do not let your dog swim in bodies of water that could contain poop or other bodily fluids from wild birds or other infected animals.
Bringing it together
Bird flu is not a pressing concern for dogs. However, arming yourself with knowledge about the bird flu virus and how to prevent it from infecting your dog will help keep your dog as safe as possible from a bird flu infection.