flu like symptoms

[kokoLinda]

Several family members have been sick with virus; now my 10 year old lab became lethargic and then threw up several times.  She is unable to take her medicine for hip pain.  Should we carry her outside to go to bathroom? I can't tell if she is hurting too much to walk or just too sick.  Vet is closed today, but will be taking her first thing in morning.

[ginger899]

Yes Tony, that is easily done at holiday times. I went to a good party the other day, the array of food, beautifully cooked and prepared, was wonderful and tasty. But it was all out, on counters, and dishes, for hours and hours in centrally heated rooms! I ate it because I was ravenous, and it tasted just great! No "bugs" thank goodness! But storing food like that is normally a recipe for disaster

[tonyb286]

As far as I am aware, the flu-like virus that infects dogs is not transferable to humans - or from humans to dogs. The two strains are completely different and isolated to each species (although most viruses do mutate and very rarely they can transfer from dogs to other animals, but not humans). That said, I would be extremely interested in what the vet has said and where he got the information from.

I think its more likely a stomach bug in bacteria form, which of course can be contageous amongst both humans and dogs, assuming both have ingested the root cause of the bacteria. I suspect that, it being the festive holidays and all that, both dogs and humans got something from the same food source.Tony

[tschock]

Ya, me either...if the vet wouldn't have told me I wouldn't have believed it...or maybe he's not a very good vet?
Same guy that gave Sheba drops for ear mites without even looking or doing a swab...so who knows?
Think I'll call the Kennel Club tomorrow and ask them. lol

[ginger899]

Oh I had no idea dogs could catch the same stomach flu virus as Humans! We live and learn....

[ginger899]

So sorry you've all been sick, and hope the new year has you all feeling better soon.
I doubt if she's got the stomach flu (not the human version anyway) I don't THINK it is transmittable from human to pet...? But it could be the doggy version, or possibly she got into some festive food?
Anyway, don't try to make her eat at all. Fast her completely. If she will keep water down, so much the better, to prevent her becoming dehydrated. That is very important. Dehydration can often be the reason they find it hard to walk and are very lethargic after a lot of vomiting and/or diarrhea.
The best thing would be to get her to keep down (if possible?) -very small amounts of fluid at a time, and give her some every 20 minutes/half hour. If you have Pedialyte, that would be even better. If you haven't, or can't get it, put a little honey or maple syrup in with some warm water, so it will dissolve, let it cool, and give her very small amounts at a time. She has a better chance of keeping it down if she doesn't drink too much at once. This will help to give her a little energy.
I would definitely carry her out to poop and pee -if you can. A housetrained dog will often hold everything in rather than dirty its bed or the house. And the fresh air might help her. But if she has hip pain she might find it hard to squat.
Most likely it's the vomiting plus dehydration that has taken its toll on her legs. But of course if she is used to pain relieving medication and missed a dose, that will cause her to not want to move too.

The best thing you can do is keep her hydrated until the vet opens in the morning. And if you are in any doubt about her, or if she continues to vomit even though taking on little amounts of water, then she needs to be seen by the emergency vet. She may need IV fluids urgently. I didn't notice where you are located. If it is the UK, you can call your vet's number, and on their answer-phone message there is usually another number given for emergencies out-of-hours.

[tschock]

Just went through the same thing here. Nasty flu!
Our 9 year old lab did the same thing...just laid around...she didn't go out to pee for 2-3 days. Really freaked us out, but when I called the vet here, they said she would be okay.
She is...aside from her ears now.
I would have called the vet sooner, but we were all so sick and taking turns in the bathroom...was terrible. By the time I called the vet she was over the worst of it. Seems that doggies can get this flu too...who would have thought?

I'm sure your gal is going to be okay too.
If it worries you, put a pad under her in case of accidents. Most doggies know their limits it seems. I'm sure she's just beat from the virus. If she doesn't pee by tomorrow give the vet a call.