What You Should Know About the Mysterious Respiratory Illness in Dogs
A strange respiratory illness has been causing panic among dog owners countrywide in the recent past. And although periodic respiratory outbreaks are common, it’s unclear whether this illness differs from other year-round surges. Unlike the regular kennel cough that clears up after a while, this mysterious illness has caused pneumonia and even fatalities when the animal cannot get enough oxygen.
While some animals are responding well to treatment, others aren’t so lucky. There have been cases of secondary infections, with vets putting dogs on ventilators and even surgically removing infected lung tissue.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the absence of national records on canine illnesses makes this infection harder to track. That notwithstanding, veterinary labs across the U.S. are investigating the outbreak, with various public health departments issuing alerts about this illness.
Here is something important to know right off the top, though: The illness doesn’t appear to be life-threatening to young, healthy dogs. In some respects, it’s a lot like COVID-19, in that healthy individuals should be able to fight off the illness without too much trouble (not to say that it’ll be necessarily fun, but it should be less severe). With that in mind, if your dog is older or does have underlying health issues, you may want to take the illness more seriously.
Respiratory Illness in Dogs: Is It a New Pathogen?
Veterinary investigators cannot seem to find the organism behind the strange illness. Some believe the COVID-19 pandemic had a role to play–keeping dogs at home limited exposure to bacteria and viruses, lowering their immunity. At the same time, more pet parents are skeptical about pet vaccination. Per recent studies, nearly 40% of dog owners in America consider canine vaccines unsafe, over 20% consider them ineffective, while 30% consider them medically unnecessary.
However, University of New Hampshire researchers link the surge to a new pathogen. The experts suspect the illness is part of an uncharacterized bacteria from 70 samples collected over the past two years. While 30 dogs from the study fell sick in 2022, the remaining 40 showed symptoms of respiratory infection in 2023. The samples were collected from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
Symptoms
Per the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), the infection presents the following syndromes:
Chronic pneumonia: This infection is minimally responsive/ unresponsive to antibiotics. The disease may progress rapidly and cause fatalities within 24-36 hours.
Chronic tracheobronchitis: This inflammation of the bronchi and trachea lasts between six and eight weeks and is often unresponsive to antibiotics. Symptoms range from sneezing to nasal discharge and coughing.
Other signs to look for include:
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Purple or blue gums from lack of oxygen
Coughing is a major sign of this illness, often lasting for weeks on end. However, this symptom may go unnoticed or pass for something else. Here’s what you should know about coughing in dogs:
Choking can be mistaken for coughing
Wet coughs can produce gurgling sounds
Coughing may sound like clearing the throat or gagging
Coughing may cause the abdomen to move and the chest to heave
Reverse sneezing is normal unless accompanied by coughing, nasal discharge, and other alarming symptoms
Vomiting when coughing doesn’t necessarily point to gastrointestinal issues
Confirmed Cases
Although nationwide numbers remain unknown, the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine has confirmed the illness in the following states.
Texas
Georgia
Maryland
Massachusetts
Oregon
Idaho
California
Nevada
Illinois
Vermont
Pennsylvania
Washington
Colorado
Florida
Indiana
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Maine
Risk Factors
Dogs contract respiratory infections in daycares, boarding kennels, parks, grooming salons, and other social settings where they interact with other animals. Additionally, your pet buddy might get sick from sharing bowls, toys, and other personal items. Note that the mystery illness can affect any dog regardless of size, breed, and age. However, your dog might need extra attention if they’re old, very young, pregnant, or suffer from underlying respiratory and heart conditions.
Precautions
Limiting your dog’s social interactions goes a long way in minimizing pathogen exposure. What’s more, separate the sick animal from other pups if you have more than one dog. Per the AVMA president Rena Carlson, routine vaccinations also boost the dog’s immune system to help them fight the disease.
Don’t forget to wash your hands after touching your pet buddy. Although humans have a low risk of contracting the illness, cleaning up prevents the pathogen from spreading to other dogs. Furthermore, keep up with your veterinary appointments and monitor the animal’s behavior for signs of distress. Early detection is crucial for prompt treatment and recovery.
Staying informed about the illness also helps contain the spread. For instance, you can follow the news or talk to vets and other dog owners about outbreaks in your neighborhood.
You could also take the following precautions if you run a dog-related business:
Ensure the animals are vaccinated against Canine adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza, canine influenza, Bordetella, and other respiratory infections
Disinfect common areas and equipment
Check dogs for coughing, nasal discharge, and other symptoms before admission
Allocate personal toys and bowls to every animal and clean the items regularly
What if Your Dog Shows Symptoms?
Contact us at the first sign of respiratory illness. Your dog might be suffering from a simple cough, but checking with a veterinarian can help rule out the mystery infection.
Contact us to make an appointment today!
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