Cases of a mysterious respiratory illness in dogs that has stumped researchers all year continue to rise in at least 14 states. Now, experts are urging dog owners to keep an extra close eye on their dogs and take specific steps, such as familiarizing themselves with the signs of respiratory illness and avoiding doggy daycares.
“The most important thing for a dog owner to do if they suspect their dog might be sick is to contact their veterinarian and keep their dog at home and away from other dogs,” says Kim Dodd, a doctor of veterinary medicine, director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Michigan State University and an veterinary diagnostics expert in outbreak response for emerging infectious diseases.
Here, experts offer answers to the biggest questions pet owners have about this mysterious respiratory dog illness as it continues to spread, plus their advice on how to keep your dog safe.
Why is this mysterious disease different from other respiratory infections in dogs?
The illness is currently considered a mystery because researchers have yet to definitively identify the pathogens that cause it. Although researchers at the University of New Hampshire recently identified a bacterium that is potentially part of the dog microbiome and may have recently developed the capacity to cause the illness, research is ongoing.
“A finding like this is potentially pretty exciting, even though we still have to see how it develops to a place where we are comfortable saying this is a pathogen in the syndrome,” said David Needle, pathology section chief at the NHVDL and clinical associate professor in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA), in a Nov. 28 UNH release.
Dodd points out that respiratory illness in dogs, just as in people, may be caused by a multitude of bacteria or viruses, alone or in combination. “Most cases of canine infectious respiratory disease, often referred to as kennel cough, [resolve on their own] with proper management, much like the common cold in people,” she says. “But some dogs can develop a more serious form of illness, especially when bacterial pathogens are involved.”
Because the illness is not responding to antibiotics, experts are at an impasse, points out Kate Domenico, a doctor of veterinary medicine and emergency veterinarian with Island Veterinary Service in South Portland, Maine. “What we are seeing across the U.S. is that cases are resistant to the antibiotics we use, which is in line with a viral disease,” she explains. “But if we find a bacterial pathogen, then we have an antibiotic-resistant bacterial disease. We just don’t know yet.”
What states have confirmed cases of the mysterious dog illness?
To date, the mysterious respiratory dog disease has been detected in at least 14 states including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
However, Domenico stresses that even if you live in a state where cases of the disease have not been confirmed, pet owners should stay vigilant knowing that testing respiratory cases can be challenging.
How is the mystery respiratory infection in dogs diagnosed?
Tests to positively identify the mystery illness require swabbing both the throat and eye, explains Domenico. But due to risks of sedating a dog with a respiratory infection, they must stay awake while samples are gathered, which can be hard to do.
Nonetheless, in order to identify which states have cases of the mystery respiratory infection in dogs, veterinarians around the country have been collecting samples from all patients they treat with signs of respiratory disease. Samples are then tested in a laboratory for the group of pathogens found in the mystery illness.
“The most important thing for a dog owner to do if they suspect their dog might be sick is to contact their veterinarian and keep their dog at home and away from other dogs.”
—Kim Dodd, a doctor of veterinary medicine in Michigan
What are the symptoms of the mysterious dog illness?
Symptoms of the mysterious respiratory illness include cough, fever, lethargy and intermittent loss of appetite.
“What’s unusual about the atypical respiratory illness that’s being investigated now is that coughing may last for weeks or even months and potentially progress to life-threatening pneumonia quickly,” Dodd explains.
And according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), which has identified more than 200 cases of the mystery illness, the acute pneumonia associated with this illness can rapidly become severe in as little as 24 to 36 hours.
How does the mystery respiratory infection in dogs spread?
“Like respiratory infections in people, the disease in dogs is mainly spread through direct or close contact, inhaling respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes or exposure to items contaminated with droplets,” explains Dodd. “For dogs, those items could be shared food or water dishes, toys, bedding or even people’s hands.”
Still, it bears noting that because experts don’t know yet what’s causing this atypical illness, they don’t know for sure that it’s spreading any differently than the common respiratory infections, points out Dodd.
How do you treat sick dogs with this mysterious illness?
To determine the best treatment, your vet will listen to your pets lungs, do a full body exam and take their temperature, she explains. “The majority of respiratory cases are treated like a viral cough and without antibiotics,” Domenico says. “But there is a subset of patients that are at risk of pneumonia, and the only way we can diagnose pneumonia is by chest X-ray.”
Regardless of how your dog might need to be treated, this is not the time to wait and see at home, adds Domenico. “Some patients do need to be hospitalized, and these dogs can start with a little coughing, a little lethargy, but after three to four days, they get progressively worse,” she says. “We want to get them in sooner rather than later.”
Tips for pet care while navigating this mysterious dog illness
While this mysterious respiratory illness in dogs may be a reason to be concerned and aware, it’s not a case for panic, says Domenico. “There are still lots of respiratory disease cases we see on a weekly basis that we have been seeing year after year,” she notes.
Here are a few key things that owners can do to keep dogs safe and healthy:
Know the signs of respiratory infection in dogs – and act fast
Initial symptoms of the mystery illness which can escalate rapidly are the same as any infectious respiratory disease in dogs, according to experts. Dog owners should contact their veterinarian right away if their dog is exhibiting any of these signs of illness:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Dobb stresses the importance of keeping your dog at home and away from other dogs if you suspect they could be ill to mitigate the spread of the mystery disease.
Opt for a dog sitter instead of daycare if possible
Similarly, pet owners should keep their dog away from dogs that are sick or whose vaccination status is unknown, Dodd advises. The best way to do this is to stay out of doggy daycare facilities which comes with the risk of exposing your dog to illness through either contact with a sick dog or communal bowls, toys and bedding.
Able to get a dog sitter? If your dog sitter is also a dog owner, be sure to share the list of signs of respiratory infection in dogs above so they can confirm their dog is healthy. Just as with human illness, respiratory droplets from a dog can be transmitted on a person’s hands.
Do not allow your dog to use bowls shared by unknown dogs
Dog-friendly restaurants, pet stores, nature trails and public parks often set out bowls of water and possibly treats for dogs, but experts recommend skipping them right now to avoid accidental exposure to illness. If you know you’re heading to a location where your dog may need hydration before you get home, be sure to pack your own bowl and water bottle.
Approach group settings with caution
The experts we spoke to said it’s OK to take your dog to a crowded setting, such as a dog park, if they’re vaccinated, healthy and you trust the other dog owners present.
However, you’ll do well to avoid these settings entirely if you have an immune-compromised dog, says Domenico. “I would not be taking your dog to any place with lots of other dogs right now,” she notes. This means avoiding boarding facilities, kennels, grooming spots, dog parks and any other setting where there are many dogs around.
Make sure your dog is fully vaccinated before interacting with other dogs
If your dog is interacting with other dogs, medical experts agree that now is the time to be sure your dog is fully vaccinated and that vaccines are up to date. There are two vaccines in particular that treat respiratory disease in dogs which are the canine bordetella vaccine and canine influenza vaccine, Domenico explains.
“If they are coming in contact with other dogs, your dog should have the canine bordetella vaccine and pet owners should discuss the canine influenza vaccine with their vet,” she says.
The bottom line: Domenico recommends every pet owner speak with their vet to evaluate your pet’s exposure risk to illness and determine what vaccines are necessary.
