Research Paper On Flu In Dogs

With the cooler weather we turn our concerns to the up and coming flu season. Staying well throughout the winter can be challenging. When fall hits we all start thinking about getting our flu shot to avoid catching the flu. People are not the only ones at risk for getting the flu. As it is for people, the flu is extremely contagious among dogs as well. For dogs the flu symptoms are similar to our own and also similar to kennel cough. The flu lasts anywhere from two to five weeks. There are typically no signs in the beginning stages (meaning the first few days of the virus). However, it is common for dogs to run a high fever which can be detected by the feel of the ears. The most common sign is coughing that can last up to 21 days. Nasal discharge
The only vegetables and grains wild canines generally eat are digested in the stomachs of their prey. When dogs became domesticated they were fed table scraps or meals made especially for them of human grade food. Dogs were healthier as a whole at this time as compared to the present day. In the mid 19th century, a man created the first dog treat, a biscuit made from grain, vegetables and meat. After the turn of the century this was expanded upon and canned horse meat was made available for dog food. This was a way to dispose of old horses while making money. Cereal companies figured out they could make a profit off of their by-products by selling them to canned meat companies as a supplement to the meat, thus what we know as kibble was born. Basically, meat and grain are cooked together, and then synthetic nutrients are sprayed on the food to replace what is lost during processing. As it turns out, over-processed, synthetically-supplemented, grain-filled foods are not good for our dogs. Dogs cannot digest grains or vegetables, as stated above, in the wild grains and vegetables are a part of their diet, but they are in the stomachs of their prey and partially digested already. With the advent of new technology, dog food companies add more and more to dry and wet foods, trying to make it healthier for our pets. I believe we need to stop making additions to the food and make a move towards more simple, real food. Pet food companies cannot market to our dogs directly so they try and appeal to pet owners. They push features such as "whole grain", "premium", "wild", "all natural" and more, making their food seem healthy and wholesome. In reality, it is usually an over-processed, grain-filled food that does more harm than good. Read more about how pet food companies mislead and fool consumers here. As a pet owner, it is important to realize that even if you are tricked by pet food companies that it does not mean you are