03/01/2026
⚠️Streptococcus-zooepidemicus ⚠️
Devastatingly two dogs recently died suddenly from a confirmed case of canine streptococcus zooepidemicus north of sheffield in early December 2025.
Rapid onset- dogs can go from coughing to death in 24-48 hours. Because symptoms often begin mildly dogs may not receive vital medical treatment until it is too late.
❗️Early signs:
Mild cough or sneezing
Nasal or eye discharge
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Low to moderate fever
‼️Advanced symptoms:
High fever
Laboured breathing
Bloody cough or nasal discharge
Sudden collapse
⚠️ In brief - canine streptococcus zooepidemicus is a bacterial infection which can be severe in many cases. It presents initially like kennel cough but can rapidly become serious with fever and lethargy as indicators of pneumonia.
Personally, I would treat any respiratory symptoms with extreme caution and take your dog to a vet urgently as this disease can kill within days. As this disease initially presents similarly to kennel cough you may need to voice your additional concerns regarding this alternative diagnosis with your vet.
Spread is through respiratory secretions so often nose to nose contact, drinking water, food bowls, toys etc. and human contact can spread the bacteria.
If any dogs have symptoms (including runny nose or cough) all dogs should remain away from the general dog population and be monitored closely. The incubation period is typically less than a week with symptoms emerging up to 4 days in. Good hygiene is key to prevent spread of disease which in rare cases can also be transmitted to immunocompromised humans.
Do not allow your dog to use communal water bowls - always bring your own water and bowl for walks etc.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/savsnet/focus-on-disease/streptococcus-zoopepidemicus/
⚠️ Streptococcus equi (zooepidemicus) ⚠️ has been associated with disease in dogs and has emerged as a significant concern over recent decades. Cases occur sporadically in dog populations globally and is not breed specific.
This disease thrives in environments with a high risk of transmissibility, overcrowding, stress and naïve populations, particularly for those in shelters/kennels.
There are varied phenotypes of the disease so that some dogs may carry the bacteria following contact with horses with no symptoms. Depending on the phenotype clinical signs may range from a cough and nasal discharge to severe, often fatal pneumonia.
Most cases present in the severe disease category (60%) with a proportion of these causing fatal haemorrhagic pneumonia (26.5%).
Mangano, E.R., Jones, G.M.C., Suarez-Bonnet, A., Waller, A.S., Priestnall, S.L. (2024) Streptococcus zooepidemicus in dogs: Exploring a canine pathogen through multilocus sequence typing. Veterinary Microbiology (292)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378113524000816
⚠️What are the symptoms to look out for?
Affected dogs may initially show signs of relatively benign upper respiratory tract infection (nasal discharge, coughing); this initial presentation resembles cases of ‘kennel cough’ and so the specific diagnosis may be missed. Affected dogs can rapidly progress to pyrexia (fever), lethargy, inappetence and, if untreated, hypovolaemic shock (including rapid breathing and pulse). Key warning signs for pneumonia development would be pyrexia (fever) and marked lethargy. Treatment is with wide spectrum antibiotics including penicillin.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/savsnet/focus-on-disease/streptococcus-zoopepidemicus/
⚠️How can we prevent spread and infection in our dog population?
Currently no vaccine is available for this disease so prevention is vital. The bacteria is spread in respiratory secretions.
Bacteria is inactivated by commonly used disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium compounds, phenol-based agents or oxidising agents (Slater, 2007) and washing of equipment, clothing and hands is important to prevent spread between animals and to humans who have compromised immune systems.
Although carriage of S. zooepidemicus in horses is widespread it is thought that the majority of cases are from dog to dog contact.
⚠️What is the difference between Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus and Streptococcus equi equi?
For those familiar with horses - 'strangles' (Streptococcus equi equi) is a highly prevalent and contagious respiratory disease in horses. This genus is horse specific and cannot be spread to non equine species.
In contrast Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus is a versatile, opportunistic bacterium that can infect many animals, including horses, but usually only causes serious disease under specific conditions.
Streptococcus zoopepidemicus in companion animals Professor Simon Priestnall BSc (Hons) BVSc PhD PGC(VetEd) FHEA DipACVP FRCPath MRCVS Adapted from Small animal disease surveillance: respiratory disease 2017 Published May 2018 Reviewed September 2021 The organism Streptococcus equi subspecies zooep....
