Canine flu shot may not be worth it

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - It's flu season. Not just for you, but for your dog as well.

Flu shots for dogs are the latest vaccination that drug companies are pushing, but for your pet here in western Massachusetts, you may just want to hold off.

22News spoke with traveling veterinarian Robert Sidorsky, who services people all over the area. He said there haven't been any reports of canine influenza at all in of western Mass. Since the canine flu, just the like the human flu, spreads from one to another, it shouldn't be too big of an issue.

Canine flu is indeed rare around here, and may not be worth the $25 to $60 vaccination, Sidorsky says. “It’s not common enough for me to consider vaccinations here in this area. That isn't to say in six months from now we might find outbreaks and that might be a problem, but right now that doesn't seem to be the issue,” said Sidorsky, of Mobile Veterinarian Services of Western Massachusetts.

Canine influenza cannot be spread from dogs to humans. If your dog does catch the flu, it can be treated and it is very rare that a dog will die from it.