HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – The state veterinarian has confirmed the first two cases of canine flu in Connecticut.

The potentially fatal influenza can cause dangerous respiratory infections in dogs, though there is no evidence that people or other types of pets can catch it.

The disease, an equine flu that somehow crossed over from horses to dogs, was first diagnosed last year in racing greyhounds in Florida. It has since spread to dogs in at least a dozen other states. Between 5 percent and 8 percent of cases are fatal.

In Connecticut, West Hartford kennel owner Myra Wahl noticed many dogs in her facility coughing late last month.

“I thought, regardless of what this is, it is affecting a lot of dogs,” she said.

She closed the kennel, Planet Bark, for three weeks and called clients to tell them they should monitor their dogs.

She also sent swabs from the sick dogs to Cornell University’s veterinary college. The results showed that two dogs had the virus. They have since recovered.

Dog owner Matthew Wallace of Farmington, whose whippet, Billy, was one of the sick dogs, got a phone call from Wahl while he was away on a business trip. He also learned his 8-year-old greyhound might be sick.

“Thankfully my big man, who has injuries from his racing days, was OK,” Wallace said. “But my little guy was very sick for a week or more. He was so sick he could not stand up for two days.”

State Veterinarian Mary Jane Lis said there are two cases of dog flu in Connecticut so far, but she did not confirm they were at Planet Bark.

Lis says dog owners should assume that they highly contagious virus is widespread and all dogs are at risk.

Dog flu is most easily contracted in gathering places such as kennels, dog shows, animal shelters and dog runs in parks. Some dogs don’t show symptoms but can still spread the virus.