Dog flu

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For many of us, our pets mean a great deal in providing comfort and amusement.

When they get sick, it can be distressing and sometimes expensive.

This season the swine flu is not just affecting humans, but it can also affect dogs.

In humans it's the H1N1 virus, and in dogs it's called H3N8.

"Only recently did it acquire the ability to infect dogs," said Cynda Crawford with the University of Florida. "Influenza is very notorious for its ability to be transmitted from one species, which is its natural host, to another species."

Dogs suffer from the same symptoms as humans -- including cough, runny nose and fever.

Eight out of ten dogs recover in a few weeks.

However, the disease can take a turn for the worse.

"About 20-percent get really sick and they get full pneumonia, secondary complications," said veterinarian Robert Hess. "About 5 to 8-percent will die."

Since May, there has been an approved vaccine for the canine flu, but it is not part of your dog's annual exam.