EP-41 Is it time for dogs to mask up?

Title: A mysterious respiratory illness is spreading among dogs and baffling veterinarians. Here’s what owners can do

Source: CNN

Date: 20 November 2023

Executive Summary:  A mysterious, lasting respiratory disease in dogs has been found in several states

Situation:

1. An unusual respiratory illness in dogs is being investigated in several states, including New Hampshire, Oregon, and Colorado
2. Veterinarians in Oregon have reported more than 200 cases since mid-August
3. The illness was described as an “atypical canine infectious respiratory disease” in a press release from the Oregon Department of Agriculture on November 9th
4. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal/eye discharge and lethargy.
5. In some cases, the illness progresses very quickly, with dogs becoming very ill within 24 to 36 hours

Problem

1. Dogs with the mystery illness are showing similar signs of upper respiratory disease but don’t generally test positive for common respiratory illnesses
2. According to Dr. David B. Needle, a pathologist at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and clinical associate professor at the University of New Hampshire, the disease is also generally resistant to standard antibiotic treatment.
3. Needle went on to explain that “Fatalities do not seem to be a large part of the syndrome we are investigating, with rare animals developing an acute and sometimes fatal pneumonia after the longer chronic disease. We think these may represent secondary infections.”

Action

1. Dr. Needle is part of a team trying to identify the disease
2. “If what we have identified is a pathogen, it is likely that the bacteria is host-adapted bacteria with long histories of colonizing dogs,” Needle said. He said that an “evolutionary event” like spontaneous mutation or getting a gene from a different source could then have led the bacteria to become virulent.

Result

1. While this is certainly not good news, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association’s website encourages caution rather than worry
2. While this disease is unusual, periodic outbreaks of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) do happen, which is transmitted by respiratory droplets
3. So, what can dog owners do to keep their dogs safe?
4. If your dog exhibits any of the symptoms (coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy) - contact your veterinarian and keep your sick dog at home
5. In terms of prevention:
   1. Make sure your dog is up to date on all vaccines such as canine influenza, bordetella, and parainfluenza
   2. Reducing contact with many unknown dogs - another vote against dog parks!!
   3. Reduce contact with sick dogs
   4. Avoid communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs
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