12/05/2023
Protect your Pets!
A Veterinary Clinic passed on this information about the new respiratory virus being seen in Dogs.
Please see prevention tips.
If you are going somewhere where there has been a lot of dogs you can also use Lysol on your shoes so it is not tracked in to your pets.
What we know:
〰️Periodic outbreaks of canine infectious respiratory disease can occur in dog populations. The current outbreak has been identified as a highly contagious respiratory disease and has only been reported in canines.
〰️Respiratory diseases are spread through direct contact or through water droplets from sneezing and coughing.
〰️At least nine different known bacteria and viruses have been linked as causes of common canine infectious respiratory diseases and it is not unusual for the infection to have more than one bacterial or viral agent. Many of which are covered by currently available vaccines. At this time, it is not known what the causative agent is for the current canine respiratory disease outbreak.
〰️Outbreaks have been reported in 14 states, including Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
Symptoms:
The symptoms being observed are similar to other infectious respiratory diseases such as “kennel cough” or canine influenza.
〰️Coughing, discharge from the eyes and/or nose, fever, lethargy, sneezing, decreased appetite, labored breathing.
〰️Sudden onset or rapidly worsening of symptoms.
〰️Symptoms that are unresponsive to antibiotics and/or tends to rapidly worsen into pneumonia
〰️If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, please call your local vet
Prevention and Recommendations:
✔️Make sure your dog is up to date on all vaccines. Dhlpp, Rabies, Bordetella and Canine Influenza. If you are unsure about their vaccine history or need to make an appointment please call us. We are recommending boostering the Bordetella vaccine every 6 months if your pet is at a higher risk.
✔️It is unknown at this time what the causative agent is for this canine infectious respiratory outbreak, but keeping your dogs vaccinated against known respiratory viruses will help.
✔️Keep sick dogs isolated at home until better, except for necessary veterinary care.
✔️Avoid high contact areas or confined close quarters with other dogs if possible such as dog parks, grooming facilities, boarding facilities, and/or doggy day care.
✔️Isolate and quarantine any new dogs to monitor their symptoms before bringing them into your household.
✔️Avoid communal water bowls and toys with pets outside your household.
✔️These recommendations are for all dogs especially if you are unsure about the health status of other dogs in the environment.
Treatment:
〰️Treatments will be determined by our veterinarians depending on the severity of the symptoms.
〰️At least nine different known bacteria and viruses have been linked as causes of common canine infectious respiratory diseases and it is not unusual for the infection to have more than one bacterial or viral agent. Many of which are covered by currently available vaccines. At this time, it is not known what the causative agent is for the current canine respiratory disease outbreak.
〰️We have a test that can be done that can rule out the most common causes of canine respiratory infectious disease. Since we are lacking definitive testing for this new disease, pets with these symptoms that test negative for the more routine respiratory diseases are perceived to have the new disease.
Websites for more information:
https://agr.wa.gov/
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/canine-respiratory-disease-outbreaks
https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=37947
https://www.avma.org/news/oregon-dealing-respiratory-illness-incidents-dogs
https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/
The Veterinary Community is closely monitoring and actively seeking more answers but unfortunately what we know is limited at this time, we will continue to provide updated information as we are advised.
