Veterinary laboratories in multiple states, including Oregon, Colorado, and New Hampshire, are currently examining an uncommon respiratory illness affecting dogs.
Symptoms of respiratory illness in dogs include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, and lethargy. Some cases of pneumonia progress quickly, making dogs very sick within 24 to 36 hours.
Since mid-August, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has identified over 200 cases of the disease, prompting a call for pet owners to promptly consult veterinarians if their dogs exhibit such symptoms.
The agency is working with state researchers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory to find out what is causing the illnesses.
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Kurt Williams, the director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University, confirmed dog fatalities but emphasized the difficulty in quantifying the number due to the lack of a clear definition or test for the disease.
He further advised dog owners not to panic and emphasized the importance of keeping pets up-to-date on vaccinations, including those protecting against various respiratory illnesses.
Labs across the country have been sharing their findings as they try to pinpoint the culprit.
David Needle, senior veterinary pathologist at the University of New Hampshire’s New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, has been investigating the mysterious disease for almost a year.
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His team has analyzed samples from dogs in several states, including Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, with more samples expected from Oregon and Colorado.
He said his team has not seen a large increase in dogs dying from the illness but still encouraged pet owners to “decrease contact with other dogs".
