Keep your four legged friends away from dog parks and doggy day cares as a contagious canine flu is spreading.

I've never had a dog yet plenty of my friends and family do. It's amazing to me the bonds that develop between dog and owner. They become an integral part of families nationwide.

Charles Mann, Think Stock
Charles Mann, Think Stock
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Veterinarians are now warning dog owners that a very contagious canine flu is spreading across Illinois.

According to WIFR, the canine flu can cause lingering coughs, lethargic behavior, poor appetite and fever. Although humans can not catch this illness, we can spread it to other dogs. The condition is treatable, but it is more severe in dogs under the age of 1, over the age of 7, and dogs with compromised immune systems.

Make sure to wash your hands after petting animals and keep pups away from others.

Five dogs have already died from canine flu and over a 1,000 cases have been reported in Chicago.

Let's hope that this can clear up in the next few weeks so the doggy parks can be full of fun and joy this summer.

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