A mysterious respiratory illness has been affecting dogs across the United States, and veterinarians and researchers are trying to figure out the underlying cause. The illness has been fatal in some cases, and is one that starts off as a cough that can last several weeks or more.
The cough hasn't typically responded to typical treatment, which is antibiotics. This has left dogs having a hard time breathing and ending up with severe pneumonia in many cases. Dogs in states including Oregon, Colorado, Rhode Island, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho, California, and more have been affected so far.
"It seems to happen very, very quickly — to go from this cough that’s just won’t go away … and then all of a sudden they develop this pneumonia," Dr. Lindsey Ganzer, veterinarian and CEO at North Springs Veterinary Referral Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, said in an interview with TODAY.com.
Some symptoms of the illness in dogs include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, and lethargy. In some of the reported cases, the pneumonia has progressed rather quickly, making the dogs extremely sick within 24 to 36 hours.
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More than 200 cases of the illness has been documented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture since mid-August. The agency is now working with state researchers and the US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory to figure out what could be causing the sickness.
Dr. Gina Ketting, a veterinarian at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, told TODAY.com that many dogs are being isolated. Her hospital has taken in almost 30 dogs affected by the illness since mid-October.
Ketting noted that she's seen "a plethora of these infections and it's concerning." She added that the cases don't seem to be slowing down, and most dogs require hospitalization.
According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, dogs are contracting the illness by being in spaces with other dogs. This has made doggy day cares, dog parks, grooming locations, and boarding kennels a cause for concern.
The American Veterinary Medical Association issued a statement to TODAY.com saying that it's monitoring cases of canine respiratory illness in Oregon and has been in contact with state officials. The association reiterated that the cause of the illness is still unknown at the time.
"I understand that there are circumstances that are unavoidable and that some people have to [board their dogs], but I would not take this lightly," Ganzer stated. "If there's somebody that can even just come to your house and let your dog out, that's a better option."
