01/03/2024
Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) has received a lot of attention in the news recently as pet owners have been reporting an increase in respiratory disease in dogs in some parts of the country. While some concern exists that a new infectious virus or bacteria is making dogs sick, many experts feel that the perceived uptick in CIRDC is being caused by outbreaks of known infectious organisms. Here is what to know about CIRDC and your dog courtesy of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
* Outbreaks of CIRDC occur regularly. Several different bacteria and viruses can contribute to CIRDC, and we don’t yet know which one(s) are causing the outbreak. While we can’t rule out the possibility that a new organism may be responsible for the outbreak, current disease patterns aren’t consistent with the emergence of a new, easily transmitted pathogen.
* Most dogs with CIRDC will have only mild illness, recovering fully within 7 to 10 days. The classic sign is a frequent, honking cough that comes on suddenly, but some dogs may have sneezing and/or a runny nose or eyes.
* Typically, only a small percentage of dogs will develop more severe disease, depending on the infecting organism(s) and the dog’s ability to fight it.
* Signs that your dog needs immediate veterinary care include the following: Lingering cough, Weakness, Loss of appetite, Difficulty breathing, Worsening of illness, A cough so severe that your dog vomits or has trouble breathing
* These factors increase a dog’s risk of becoming ill: Short-nose breed, like French Bulldogs, Very young or old age, Compromised immune system, Pre-existing respiratory disease or heart disease
* Optimal protection against common respiratory infections includes an annual intranasal vaccine against Bordetella, canine adenovirus type 2, and canine parainfluenza. Where canine influenza is known to be circulating, the injectable canine influenza vaccine also is recommended. Your veterinarian can help you decide which vaccines your dog needs to stay as healthy as possible.
* In general, the risk of people getting sick from exposure to dogs with CIRDC is extremely low.
* For further protection against CIRDC:
1) Remember that dogs can be contagious and still look perfectly healthy. To play it safe, limit your dog’s interaction with other dogs—especially large groups of dogs with unknown health or vaccination statuses—and wash your hands after handling other dogs to avoid spreading infection.
2) Keep your dog away from toys and food and water bowls used by dogs outside your household.
3) Delay or avoid taking your dog to places where outbreaks are occurring.
4) If your dog is sick, keep them away from other dogs.
