Mystery Respiratory Illness in Dogs: What We Know
The cause of this illness is unknown at this time. Symptoms include upper respiratory signs including an unresolved cough according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Patients are testing negative for common respiratory complexes.
Some quick reminders for your staff and clients include:
- Reiterate the importance of dogs being up-to-date on vaccines.
- Instruct owners to avoid contact with other animals outside the household.
- If their dog is coughing, direct owners to call your office.
- Review your boarding guidelines and disinfection and isolation protocols with your team (this disease is spread through aerosolized droplets)
- Review your standard operating procedures for dogs presenting to your hospital with a cough (ensure these patients are isolated for their appointments or hospitalized care). Contact your lab to find out what respiratory testing panels are available.
- Build a Corsi-Rosenthal Box to greatly reduce airborne viruses with minimal cost.
For clients:
Do not assume this is “kennel cough” – call your veterinarian and seek immediate care.
- There are numerous news reports circulating information about the mystery respiratory illness in dogs. While the cause is currently unknown, the GVMA recommends pet owners contact your regular veterinarian if you have concerns that your dog is experiencing symptoms related to this disease.
- Symptoms can include:
- Coughing, sneezing
- Nasal/ocular discharge
- Lethargy in your dog.
- Ask your veterinarian’s office what their protocol is when you arrive to the hospital with a coughing dog and be compliant to their policies – it will protect your pet and other people’s pets.
- Avoid sick dogs.
- If your pet is showing signs of an upper respiratory illness, please do not take them into public areas and contact any facilities where you may have holiday boarding reservations and update them.
- Do not let your dog drink from communal water bowls.
- Ensure your dogs is up to date on recommended vaccinations from your veterinarian.
- With the holiday weekend before us, take time now to find out now which emergency veterinary facilities your veterinarian would like you to go to in case your pet becomes ill and needs immediate care.
