As more information regarding a mysterious and sometimes deadly disease that spreads between dogs emerges, dog owners may feel rising anxiety about dog parks, boarding, or even their regular dog walks. So, what do we know about the disease, and what can dog owners do to protect their pets?
The illness, still unnamed, is described by veterinarians as a respiratory illness, one that is unresponsive to antibiotics, and can sometimes lead to severe pneumonia. However, the specifics of the disease and its causes are not yet understood by experts and research is still being conducted.
Cases have not yet been reported in Connecticut, but they have been reported in several bordering states such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as many other states spanning the country.
Many normal symptoms of typical dog illnesses, such as mild coughing, are not cause for concern, but veterinarians advise contacting your vet if your dog acts severely tired or depressed, doesn’t get better over the course of a few days, experiences rapid worsening of illness, difficulty breathing, or loss of appetite.
Additionally, veterinarians advise contacting a vet sooner and being more strict with isolation if your dog is at higher risk due to factors such as being elderly, very young, pregnant or having other underlying conditions.
A new bug is a possibility, but it’s difficult to tell as no single organization tracks dog illnesses, and many pet owners do not seek medical help for their pets because of financial limitations. Data is inconsistent and generally unavailable at this time, but nationally there have been a few hundred cases that are potentially connected.
However, it may just not be a new illness at all, but rather a minor spike in normal illness emphasized by rampant social media awareness.
Canine respiratory illnesses are common, especially dog flu or kennel cough in animal shelters and daycares. Dr. Scott Weese, an infectious disease veterinarian, stated that “We’ve got more dogs that have a lower level of resistance because they’ve been exposed less over the last couple of years and they’ve had less vaccination,” adding that we may see more spikes in the normal respiratory illnesses circulating around, perhaps as a side effect of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Veterinarians recommend that dog owners attempt to reduce contact with other dogs, make sure their dog’s vaccinations are up to date, and pay close attention to their dog’s behavior, contacting a vet right away if they display severe symptoms. Even though dogs cannot yet be vaccinated for this new illness, maintaining a high standard of health through normal disease prevention makes dogs far less susceptible to this and other severe illnesses.
Logically, keeping your dog away from obviously sick dogs is recommended, as well as paying very close attention to the behaviors of your dog to make sure you are aware if anything is off so you can contact a vet as soon as necessary.
It’s recommended to avoid holiday boarding if possible, but if it isn’t, don’t panic. Small groups of dogs that might be together at a daycare or boarding facility are low risk, especially if there are strict vaccination and health requirements for the facility.
Overall, the biggest piece of advice veterinarians offer to anxious dog owners is to be cautious, but not panicked. Be aware of your dog’s behavior and their interactions, but remember that this illness could be nothing new and many healthy dogs are recovering as research continues.
