NOVEMBER 27.2023 UPDATE ON "MYSTERY" RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN DOGS

VETERINARIANS ARE REPORTING AN INCREASED NUMBER OF DOGS SHOWING ACUTE (SUDDEN) RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS RANGING FROM MILD TO LIFE-THREATENING PNEUMONIA. THE DISEASE IS NOT RESPONDING TO COMMONLY PRESCRIBED ANTIBIOTICS AND TESTING IS OFTEN NEGATIVE FOR KNOWN DISEASES, TO DATE.

IT IS NOT YET CLEAR IF THIS CAUSED BY A NOVEL EMERGING PATHOGEN OR ONE OF THE WELL-KNOWN CAUSES OF CANINE INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX (CIRD, COMMONLY CALLED "KENNEL COUGH"). THE INTENSE MEDIA COVERAGE OF A MYSTERY DISEASE IS RAISING AWARENESS OF CIRD AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES. THE H3N2 CIV INFLUENZA VIRUS IS ALSO CIRCULATING ALONG THE EASTERN AND WESTERN COASTS. SUSPECT CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN 12 STATES, INCLUDING FLORIDA.

MINIMIZING RISK OF INFECTION INCLUDES NOT VISITING WITH OTHER DOG POPULATIONS, AND KEEPING CURRENT ON DISTEMPER AND INFLUENZA VACCINE(S).WE HAVE THE INFLUENZA VACCINE IN STOCK. PEOPLE AND OTHER SPECIES HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED TO BE AT RISK.

SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS INCLUDE; ACUTE COUGH, SNEEZING, NASAL DISCHARGE, LETHARGY, FEVER, AND POOR APPETITE. THE COUGH MAY PERSIST FOR WEEKS TO MONTHS.

IF YOU FEEL YOUR DOG IS ILL:

#1 ISOLATE DOGS WITH RESPIRATORY SIGNS

#2 SANITIZE ANYTHING THAT DOG HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BOWLS,TOYS,BEDDING)

#3 WHEN MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN, MAKE SURE TO INFORM THEM YOU FEAR RESPIRATORY DISEASE SO APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS CAN BE UNDERTAKEN

AGAIN, AVOID DOG PARKS, BOARDING, GROOMING, DAYCARE, DOG SHOWS UNLESS LIMITED TO A STABLE GROUP OF HEALTHY DOGS.

VACCINATION AGAINST CANINE INFLUENZA IS APPROPRIATE FOR PET DOGS OR DOGS EXPECTED TO BE EXPOSED TO OTHER DOGS, BUT THE VACCINE REQUIRES TWO DOSES GIVEN 3 WEEKS APART, AND PROTECTION REQUIRES AT LEAST 4 WEEKS TO DEVELOP.