ATLANTA -- A new flu strain could affect your pet.

A metro Atlanta veterinary clinic had to shut down most of its services this summer after an outbreak of H3N8 or canine influenza.

They're now warning pet owners to protect their best friend's and stop the spread of the virus.

Veterinarian Dr. Mike Younker admits even he wasn't sure what canine influenza was until dozens of animals in his care came down with the disease.

The outbreak cost his business nearly $15,000, but he says his only concern is that it doesn't cost any of his patients their lives.

“I was surprised that dogs could actually get the flu,” said pet owner Elizabeth Kenny.

Kenny learned that surprising fact from her dog's doctor at the Fayette Veterinary Medical Center. It was just days before the Fourth of July when Dr. Younker got a call on his day off, telling him their facility was dealing with an outbreak.

“My first reaction was, canine influenza? I'm not really sure what that is,” said Dr. Younker.

He didn't have long to figure it out. Within two weeks 50 animals had developed the virus at the facility.

“The first two that were infected developed pneumonia so we had to get on this pretty fast. If the pneumonia goes untreated, these dogs could die from this,” said Dr. Younker.

The clinic had to stop all elective procedures, like vaccinations and grooming.

“They told me they couldn't board him because they were having a flu outbreak,” said Kenny.

That very same week a new canine flu vaccine was given conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Though Younker is one of the first vets in metro Atlanta to recommend and administer the shot, the clinics' experience convinced him, and many of his clients, it's a necessary precaution.

“If I had a client that asked me, ‘Dr. Younker, was there something we could have done to prevent this?’ and I had not recommended the vaccine then I wouldn't be doing my job,” said Dr. Younker.

“We want to take care of him. He's a member of our family,” said Kenny of her pet.

None of the animals at the Fayetteville facility died and they've been able to control recent cases.

Even though this is not the same as the human flu and it can't pass between you and your dog, the symptoms are similar.

If your dog has a cough for more than a couple of days you should get them checked.