Las Vegas veterinarians are warning dog owners: dog flu is on its way to town.

The concerning strain of dog flu is H3N2.

It's highly contagious. When it hits Las Vegas, it's going to hit hard.

Dr. Patricia Wagner with Boca Park Animal Hospital says it's just a matter of time.

"Once we get it, if we have a large population that is not vaccinated, we are going to have a very large population of sick animals," said Dr. Wagner.

Dr. Wagner says the fact people travel so much between Nevada and California is a big part of it.

Dog flu is rampant in California right now so it's just a matter of time before it shows up in Las Vegas.

Dr. Wagner says this strain can live on clothes or furniture for up to two days after coming in contact with an infected dog.

"It's going to affect our grooming businesses, our boarding businesses, it's going to affect daycare, training, all of those elements."

The vaccine is given in two doses spread out over a few weeks and then it's given once a year after that.

Symptoms of dog flu include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, difficult breathing, and loss of appetite.