With flu season in full swing, you may be wondering if it’s possible for your Boston terrier to contract the flu.
And the answer is … YES!
Canine flu is similar to the human flu. It’s a highly infectious virus that can be very harmful to your dog.
It’s main line of attack is to damage the respiratory system. And if it goes untreated for too long, it can even progress into pneumonia.
Mild Canine Flu
Your dog may experience a cough that is similar to kennel cough and may experience a runny nose with thick nasal discharge that tends to be green in color.
Severe Canine Flu
Your dog will experience a high fever and the early stages of pneumonia along with the symptoms listed above.
The First Signs
Usually the first sign of canine flu is a cough. So if your dog develops a cough, the best thing for you to do is keep your Boston terrier warm, well hydrated, and make sure he/she’s getting plenty of healthy nutritious food.
How It’s Spread
The virus is spread through direct contact with infected dogs, through chew toys, food, and other household items. So, make sure to keep your dog away from other animals if you suspect he has the flu.
Canine flu is highly contagious, and there’s no vaccine or immunity to it, so every dog has an equal risk of developing it.
Luckily, the fatality rate of dogs with canine flu is only about 5-8%.
Treatment Options
There’s no real cure for canine flu right now. But you vet may prescribe antibiotics to help with your pet’s weakened immune system.
There are also some natural treatment options you may want to consider.
A somewhat popular natural treatment for canine flu is grapefruit seed extract (GSE). There aren’t any known side effects to this treatment. So if you want to try it, just mix in some grapefruit seed extract (mashed up grapefruit seeds) with your dog’s food.
Here are some other natural ingredients that are used to fight canine flu:
• Elecampane
• Fenugreek
• Mullein
• Maritime Pine
• Rosehips
• Kelp
• Coltsfoot
If you’re considering trying one of these treatments, you should consult your vet first of course! 
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