The MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston says it has seen the first local case of a dog flu that is quickly spreading across the Midwest. Watch the reportMSPCA said a 5-year-old female terrier with a hacking cough was brought in on May 3 following a family trip to Chicago. The hospital is awaiting confirmation of the exact strain, but veterinarians suspect it is the same strain that has now become an epidemic in the Midwest. The dog is recovering at home in Watertown.More than 1,700 cases of dog flu -- dubbed H3N2 -- have been confirmed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin and Texas, the MSPCA said.Experts say dog-to-dog contact is the primary means by which the flu is spread, and dog owners are urged to avoid trips to the veterinary hospital if they believe their dog may have been exposed to the virus.Canine flu is not fatal in most cases, nor does it pose a threat to humans, cats or other pets, the MSPCA said.Angell's prevention protocol centers on the following recommendations:If traveling to the outbreak states, steer clear of all dog parks, veterinary hospitals (save for emergency treatment) or other areas in which dogs assembleDo not assume your dog is protected if he or she has been vaccinated against canine flu. H3N2 is a different strain, as yet there is no vaccine for it and prevention is the only surefire way to avoid infectionKnow the primary signs of canine flu which generally include coughing, runny nose, decreased activity, decreased appetite, and generally seeming unwell. If any of these symptoms are present, call you veterinarian immediatelyIf your dog is sick seek treatment at your veterinarian’s office or Angell -- but inform staff upon arrival if your dog has traveled to the outbreak states, and keep well clear of all other dogs in the waiting area(s)