Vets warn about ‘mystery illness’ is killing dogs across the US

What is known about the mystery illness killing dogs

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) noted that some of the dogs who have been affected by the illness have shown coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy symptoms. Pet owners are asked to visit a veterinarian if their dog happens to show any of these symptoms.

ODA further noted that appropriate vaccines, such as influenza, Bordetella, and parainfluenza can also help in some instances.

As of now, the cases that have been reported tend to fall under one of these three categories: Chronic mild-moderate tracheobronchitis with prolonged duration, that is, 6-8 weeks or longer, chronic pneumonia that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics, or acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and shows signs in 24-36 hours.

Places where the illness has been reported

As per reports, the following are the places where dogs have been affected by the mystery illness that matches the above description:

• Oregon
• Colorado
• New Hampshire and the surrounding Northeast area
• California
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Washington
• Idaho
• Georgia
• Florida

Steps owners can take for their dogs

While there is not a lot known about the illness, there are still some generic precautions that the owners can take to ensure their furry friend is alright.

1. Reduce your dog’s contact with other dogs. All respiratory illnesses are communicable and it is best to maintain a safe distance to avoid infection from spreading.
2. Keep your dogs away from other pets that might appear sick or show any of the symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, or lethargy.
3. Avoid communal water bowls.
4. Make sure your dog is vaccinated. You can also consult your veterinarian to see if there are any other vaccines that your pet requires.
5. If your dog is sick, try getting a PCR test to help determine the causative (viral/bacterial) agent. This will help determine a treatment quickly.

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