If you’re a pet parent, you’ve probably heard the news: A mysterious and potentially deadly respiratory illness is being reported in dogs across the country. Veterinary experts say the illness starts out as a cough. Dogs with this mystery illness reportedly experience other symptoms such as sneezing, eye/nose discharge, and lethargy. It can lead to severe pneumonia and even death.
Veterinarians across the country have taken to their social media pages to share what information they do know … and there are a lot of unanswered questions at this time. While researchers continue investigating, veterinary experts have said these dogs do not test positive for any common causes of respiratory illness. That means it’s not kennel cough, parainfluenza, or Bordatella. Also, dogs with this illness also may not respond to typical treatments, such as antibiotics.
This article is in no way meant to contribute to fear. Rather, the goal is to help spread the word and share what veterinary experts are advising us dog parents to do, while they continue to search for answers and a cure.
A Few Quick Facts
- The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has received more than 200 case reports from veterinarians since the middle of August.
- The cases reported to ODA appear to primarily fall within the following clinical syndromes:
- Chronic mild-to-moderate inflammation of the trachea, lasting six to eight weeks or longer, which is minimally or not responsive to antimicrobials.
- Chronic pneumonia that is minimally or not responsive to antimicrobials.
- Acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24 to 36 hours.
- As of the date this article is published, cases have been reported in several states:
- Oregon
- Colorado
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- California
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Washington
- Idaho
- Georgia
- Florida
- If you live in a state that’s not on the list, you’re still advised to stay alert and take precautions.
- According to a press release, “ODA is actively working with reporting veterinarians and specialists at OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine (CCVM), the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL), and the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (USDA-NVSL) and other specialists to find the causative agent behind these cases.”
What Pet Parents Are Advised to Do
- Reduce your dog’s exposure to other dogs. That means avoiding dog parks, grooming shops, dog daycare centers, and boarding facilities.
- If you’re traveling this holiday season, instead of boarding your dogs, ask a local friend or family member if they can pet sit instead.
- If you take your dog on a walk, avoid contact with other dogs.
- Don’t let your dog drink from communal water bowls.
- While it may be fun to let your dog tag along for holiday shopping, it’s best to leave them home for now.
- Veterinarians recommend getting your dog’s vaccines up-to-date. Discuss your dog’s needs with your local veterinarian.
- If your dog develops a cough, seek veterinary care immediately.
- Aside from going to your vet’s office, keep sick dogs at home and away from other dogs.
- If you have multiple dogs and one is starting to experience symptoms, do your best to keep them separate.
Looking for ways to keep your dog entertained while stuck at home? Keep them mentally stimulated by working on basic commands, training a new trick, playing fetch (if you have room), and playing with pet puzzles.
