Unusual Respiratory Illness in Dogs Investigated in Multiple States

Pet owners beware: An unusual respiratory illness in dogs that does not respond to antibiotics is being investigated in several states across the U.S.

Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are among the states that have seen cases of the illness, which has caused lasting respiratory disease and pneumonia. Symptoms of respiratory illness in dogs include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge and lethargy. Some cases of the pneumonia progress quickly, making dogs very sick within 24 to 36 hours.

"Unfortunately, right now, nobody knows what it is," veterinarian Dr. Mike Hutchinson told CBS News Pittsburgh.

"When that happens, you should see your veterinarian because we're going to treat those symptoms. And for viruses, there's really no good anti-viral on the market. However, we can support the symptoms sometimes by nebulizing them or giving them some support, fluids, things that they need," said Hutchinson.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has documented more than 200 cases of the illness. Pet owners are advised to seek veterinary care if their dogs show any symptoms of respiratory illness.

The local agency is collaborating with state researchers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory to investigate the cause of the illnesses.

According to Kurt Williams, director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University, dogs have also succumbed to the illness. However, due to the lack of a definitive disease definition and test, it is difficult to determine the exact number of deaths resulting from the severe form of the infection.

As veterinarians strive to identify the source of the animals' sickness, they are urging pet owners to take basic precautions to ensure the well-being of their pets.

Dr. Hutchinson, a local veterinarian, mentioned that although he has not encountered any cases in his practice, he advises pet owners to keep their furry companions away from other dogs whenever possible, as they are more susceptible to contracting the illness in places such as kennels, dog parks, and grooming facilities.

"Most of the day cares, at least in our area, require that all vaccines are up to date and that the dogs have a health certificate from their veterinarian. So most of the time, you are introducing healthy dogs into that environment. However, if one dog is sick, it can spread to the others, similar to a common cold in a schoolyard," explained Dr. Hutchinson.

According to Williams, it is important to ensure that your pets are kept up-to-date on vaccines, including those that provide protection against various respiratory illnesses.

If not, there is no need to panic," he advises.

David Needle, a senior veterinary pathologist at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire, has been investigating the mysterious disease for nearly a year. He stated that his team has not observed a significant increase in dog fatalities due to the illness, but he also urged pet owners to limit their dogs' contact with others.

Needle's laboratory, along with colleagues at the university's Hubbard Center for Genome Research, has examined samples from dogs in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Additional samples will be received from Oregon, Colorado, and potentially other states.