The “mystery” illness is believed to be a “funky bacteria”. Dogs affected have signs of upper respiratory disease, like kennel cough, but don’t test positive for known diseases. The disease is resistant to standard treatments, but one account says that Doxycycline may be effective. Experts and veterinarians say in a nutshell, “now is not to WORRY, but to be CAUTIOUS. Fatality is not common. Only a rare few have developed acute fatal pneumonia after dealing with the illness for a long time, largely due to secondary bacteria.”
If you are interested in doing your own research, I have listed the articles I referenced below.
Reducing contact with unknown dogs is the general rule at this time. We are asking the owners of all dogs coming into class to please not to go to dog parks, allow your dog to share water, or let your dogs greet others on the street, while enrolled in class. Symptoms usually get serious within 2-3 days. We are discouraging contact with the other dogs in class, they are in the same space training, not visiting. If it is determined to be better for us to meet outside at the park, we can discuss it. At this time, it seems safer to be in our disinfected room, we can leave the door open for air flow. Pawparazzi has assured us that we are on a different HVAC system from the daycare/kennel itself. We enter through a separate entrance. Equipment and floors are vacuumed and disinfected between classes. The veterinarians involved in the study of the outbreak on the east and west coast, both having symptoms similar to Kennel Cough, are testing now to see if they are related.
(from CNN) What can dog owners do?
While the news may be concerning, “We suggest caution rather than worry,” the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association’s website says.
While this particular disease is unusual, “Periodic outbreaks of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) can occur in a dog population. At least nine different bacteria and viruses have been linked as causes of CIRDC, which is transmitted by respiratory droplets,” the association said.
“Infection with more than one bacterial or viral agent is common. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy. If your dog shows these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.”
Dog owners should help keep their pets healthy by making sure they’re up-to-date on all vaccines, such as those for canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza, the association said. Other tips include:
• Reducing contact with large numbers of unknown dogs. Just like with other respiratory pathogens, the more contacts your dog has, the greater the risk of encountering a dog that’s infectious.
• Reducing contact with sick dogs. This can be harder to determine but if a dog looks sick (coughing, runny nose, runny eyes), keep your dog away from it.
• Keep sick dogs at home and seek veterinary care.
• Avoid communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs.
https://www.curbed.com/article/mysterious-dog-illness-veterinarian-kennel-cough.html (this one is pretty comprehensive, thanks PAM B)
https://www.goodrx.com/pet-health/dog/mystery-respiratory-illness
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/20/us/mystery-dog-illness-spreading/index.html
As always, i would love to hear your input, please email Karent@mybestfriendobedience.com