Recent media on the evolving cases:
All About the Mystery Dog Respiratory Illness Affecting Canines Across the U.S., Prevention Magazine, Nov. 29, 2023 “Cases were first detected in Oregon, which has had more than 200 case reports, the AVMA says. However, other potential cases have been reported in California, Colorado, Georgia, and Florida, among other places. But Collins notes that it’s difficult to say if these are the same illness or different conditions. “Since we don’t really know what the cause of this is, we can’t necessarily say that all of the outbreaks around the country are from the same organism,” he says.
“Veterinary laboratories in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire are investigating in unusual respiratory illness in dogs. Dr. Brian Collins of Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine is urging dog owners to be aware of the symptoms. One of the hallmarks signs is coughing. Dogs may also show other clinical signs such as sneezing, difficulty breathing, discharge from the eyes or nose, decreased appetite. Collins says any dogs with those symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian. He also encourages people to keep their dogs up to date on vaccinations. More laboratory testing needs to be done before it’s clear if illnesses are all resulting from the same disease.” NPR, Nov.27, 2023Could a ‘funky’ pathogen be sickening dogs? Scientists search for clues “While it’s possible this is a new infectious agent, Dr. Colin Parrish says it may actually be multiple outbreaks with different causes, since dogs aren’t traveling as much as humans. Respiratory diseases in dogs, that’s commonplace,” says Parrish, a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University (Baker Institute for Animal Health), but “they tend not to sort of show up in a lot of places in relatively close succession.” NPR/WSKG, Nov. 23, 2023Respiratory illness spreads among dogs in several states. Here’s what to do if your pup has symptoms. WXXI News, Nov. 22, 2023 “In our area, we’re not yet aware of a similar outbreak, but it’s something that we’re needing to keep track of,” said Dr. Brian Collins, a senior lecturer at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca. “We do think that early testing and treatment are going to make a big difference in the outcome for these dogs,” he said.As mysterious dog illness spreads, Long Island canine owners, vets keeping vigilant. Newsday, Nov. 21, 2023 Outbreaks of respiratory disease, especially at animal shelters or boarding facilities, are common, said Colin Parrish, professor of virology at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s department of microbiology and immunology. “They call it kennel cough which is a catchall for different respiratory illnesses,” he said. “Most dogs have a mild disease and recover uneventfully. That’s why people are concerned. This is something new.”What to know about a mysterious dog respiratory illness. NBC News, Nov. 21, 2023 “It’s very unlikely that the cause will turn out to be viral, said Colin Parrish, a professor of virology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. “With the sequencing methods people use to look for unknown viruses, its signature would have been clear in a few days,” he added.A Potentially Fatal Illness Is Spreading Among Dogs. Here Are the Signs. Huff Post. Nov. 21, 2023 “Respiratory tract infections tend to be very transmissible. They usually spread through direct contact — for example, when a dog licks or plays with other dogs — and by sharing toys or water bowls, Collins explained. Dogs can also spread diseases through respiratory droplets expelled through coughing and breathing, he added.”What to know about the mystery illness that is killing dogs in the US. Scripps News, Nov. 13, 2023
November 28, 2022:
Common signs of canine respiratory illness:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Labored breathing
- Nose or eye discharge
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
August 25, 2022:
- If your dog attends daycare, goes to a groomer, dog training classes, dog parks or is in other situations where there will be groups of dogs, be proactive in asking about any recent cases of respiratory disease.
- Respiratory diseases are spread through direct dog-to-dog contact or through exposure from water droplets created by coughing or sneezing. These droplets can also contaminate objects such as bowls and toys, and even human hands.
- If your dog is experiencing any signs of illness — including coughing, sneezing, labored breathing, or ocular or nasal discharge — and particularly if your dog is also lethargic or has a decreased appetite, be sure to contact your veterinarian. Do not expose your dog to other dogs until you are certain your dog is not contagious.
- Keep your dog up-to-date on any vaccinations recommended by your veterinarian. Be especially careful if you have a puppy that is not yet fully vaccinated, or if you have a senior dog or one that may have a weakened immune system.
