Dogs in several states, including Illinois, are suffering from a mysterious and potentially fatal respiratory disease, TODAY reports.
illnesses such as pneumonia, reported todaywhich starts as a cough and gradually worsens, the disease is also resistant to antibiotics.
Officials say dogs are most likely to contract the disease through contact with other dogs, with locations such as dog parks, kennels and groomers posing a greater risk.
Here are the symptoms to look out for and the states where symptoms of this disease have been reported.
Symptoms associated with a mysterious illness
The report said that in addition to coughing, sneezing, and discharge from the eyes and nose, breathing difficulties and fatigue were also observed. Oregon Department of Agriculture. Dogs that show symptoms may be negative for common respiratory causes.
Dog owners who observe any of the above symptoms are advised to take their dog to the veterinarian immediately.
Veterinarians advise dog owners to keep their furry friends away from areas where other dogs may be present, but stress that dogs that require veterinary attention should seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear. .
Veterinarians advise owners to make sure their dog has the necessary vaccines.
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Oregon Department of Agriculture officials said the cases they have seen so far fall into one of three categories:
- Chronic mild to moderate tracheobronchitis that lasts for a long time (more than 6 to 8 weeks) with little or no response to antibiotics.
- Chronic pneumonia with little or no response to antibiotics.
- Acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often results in poor outcomes within just 24 to 36 hours.
Dog owners are encouraged to consult their veterinarian before exposing their dog to an environment with multiple other dogs.
The symptoms reported in the state are:
TODAY reports that veterinarians in the following states have been confirmed to have observed cases matching the Strep Zoo description.
- Oregon
- colorado
- new hampshire
- California
- Indiana
- illinois
- Washington
- idaho
- georgia
- florida
How to keep your dog safe
Dog owners are advised to be careful, but experts also make it clear that owners should be careful not to worry, offering the following tips to protect your dog from respiratory illness: .
- Reduce contact with large numbers of strange dogs. As with other respiratory pathogens, the more contact you have with dogs, the higher your risk of encountering a contagious dog.
- Reduce contact with sick dogs. This may be difficult to determine, but if your dog is not feeling well (cough, runny nose, watery eyes), keep your dog away from you.
- Keep sick dogs at home and seek veterinary care.
- Avoid having multiple dogs sharing a communal water bowl.
- Ask your veterinarian for advice on which vaccines your dog should receive. Common vaccinations include canine influenza, Bordetella, and parainfluenza.
- If sick, consider having your dog PCR tested to determine the causative agent (virus/bacteria), if possible.
