Dog flu spreads to cats at NW Indiana shelter

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It's called the canine flu, but a group of cats at a northwest Indiana pet shelter now also have the virus.

Veterinarians say it is rare, but the H3N2 virus can spread from dogs to cats. It now appears the virus can replicate and spread from cat to cat.

So far, the virus has not been fatal in cats. It has been linked to some deaths in dogs.

An H3N2 vaccine is now available for dogs, but there is currently no flu vaccine for cats.