BILLINGS - Usually it's humans who get flu shots, but this year it's man's best friend that might need to be vaccinated.
Canine influenza hasn't hit Montana, but surrounding states such as Wyoming and Colorado are seeing an increase in cases. Also known as H3N8, the canine flu is transferred from dog to dog by close contact.
"About 5 years ago [it] came from horses into dogs," said Dr. Catherine Roth, Veterinarian at Granite Peak Veterinary Hospital. "It causes some minor symptoms: sneezing, coughing, runny nose and they can feel sick and depressed."
Most veterinarians in Montana don't carry the vaccination for the canine flu and say healthy dogs can usually fight it off without difficulty.
Canine flu cannot be spread from dogs to humans.