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Mystery Dog Illness Spreading Across the US

Here's how to protect your dog...

Author

Bryan Reisberg
November 23, 2023

A Mystery Canine Respiratory Illness Sweeping the United States…But a Solution Is On The Horizon…

If you have a dog, you may or may not have been sent any number of articles talking about a mysterious illness rapidly spreading across the country.

Researchers are investigating a mysterious and potentially deadly infectious respiratory disease affecting dogs across several states, including Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, and New Hampshire. Described as an "atypical canine infectious respiratory disease," symptoms include coughing, sneezing, eye or nose discharge, and lethargy. The disease seems to share a viral origin, but standard respiratory tests have been largely negative. Over 200 cases have been reported in Oregon since mid-August. The illness is resistant to standard treatments, and fatalities are rare but occur in some cases.

According to Dr. David B. Needle, a pathologist at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and clinical associate professor at the University of New Hampshire, “Fatalities do not seem to be a large part of the syndrome we are investigating, with rare animals developing an acute and sometimes fatal pneumonia after the longer chronic disease,” Needle said. “We think these may represent secondary infections.”

But there’s some good news on the horizon for all of us concerned pet parents…

According to NBC, researchers at the University of New Hampshire's Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory and the Hubbard Center for Genome Studies have recently identified a potential new bacterial infection as the cause of a mysterious respiratory illness. Some dogs with this illness have experienced coughing, runny eyes, and sneezing, with a few cases resulting in death. Through genetic sequencing of samples from infected dogs, the researchers discovered a previously unknown bacterium that is smaller in size and genome, making it challenging to detect and sequence.

While there is no definitive test for the illness, the structure of the bacterium suggests that the antibiotic doxycycline may be effective against it, although the researchers have been unable to grow the bacteria in the lab.

Symptoms

The respiratory illness in dogs can manifest in various ways, such as inflammation of the respiratory tubes, chronic pneumonia, or acute pneumonia leading to severe illness or death. Basically if your dog develops a cough, you should go see your veterinarian.

Here are some of the common symptoms of the respiratory illness in dogs:

  • Coughing and sneezing

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Rapid breathing

  • Wheezing or nasal whistling

  • Dehydration

  • Difficulty exercising

  • Fever

  • Nasal or eye discharge

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weight loss

  • Lethargy

What you can do

Veterinarians recommend dog owners be cautious during the holiday season, avoiding crowded places like kennels and dog parks to reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date vaccinations is advised, and alternatives such as hiring a house sitter or dog walker are suggested for dog owners traveling during this time. Keeping dogs in their familiar environment is considered the best precautionary measure against the mysterious illness.

  • Reduce contact with large numbers of unknown dogs. Just like with other respiratory pathogens, the more contacts your dog has, the greater the risk of encountering a dog that’s infectious.

  • Reduce contact with sick dogs. This can be harder to determine but if a dog looks sick (coughing, runny nose, runny eyes), keep your dog away from it.

  • Keep sick dogs at home and seek veterinary care.

  • Avoid communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs.

  • Make sure your dog is up to date on all vaccinations.

I know this isn’t what we want to be reading during the holidays, but the good news is that there are a lot of smart people hard at work figuring out a solution. So fear not, fellow pet parents. But maybe try and avoid fear-mongering Tiktok’s that will just rile you up. I’ve seen them — people are acting like this thing is the plague, and from what I’ve read, it isn’t. But with that said, if you have any concerns about your dog’s health and well-being, please go see your vet.

What can I feed my dog on Thanksgiving?

Here’s the official list from the American Kennel Club:

The experts consulted were:

  • Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM, author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide: Breakthrough Nutrition and Integrative Care for Dogs and Cats

  • Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM, a small animal and exotic veterinarian in Texas

  • Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club

Foods Safe for Dogs:

  • Sweet Potatoes - Great source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Just remember not to give your pet sweet potatoes loaded up with added ingredients like brown sugar, marshmallows, or maple syrup.

  • Potatoes - But only boiled or baked potatoes. Save the mashed potatoes whipped with butter and cream (and sometimes onions or garlic) for your own plate.

  • Apples - Full of vitamins A and C and contain lots of fiber. But make sure to cut around the core; large amounts of apple seeds can be toxic.

  • Turkey meat (NO bones, NO skin) - This one has a lot of caveats. Turkey is safe as long as it has not been prepared with any seasoning. Skin itself can be fatty, and the outer layer of the turkey’s skin was likely slathered in butter or oil before cooking, all of which can add up to triggering a bout of painful and dangerous pancreatitis.

  • Green Beans - Full of plant fiber, manganese, and vitamins C and K, plain green beans are great for dogs. Green beans should be prepared and served plain, without added ingredients like butter or salt. Set aside a special portion of plain green beans for your dog if you know they love these filling and wholesome veggies.

  • Plain Peas - Fine in moderation, but creamed peas are a no-go, just like creamy mashed potatoes. Any fatty food or casserole risks triggering pancreatitis or other digestive upsets.

  • Pumpkin - A very healthy snack, helps with digestion and great for a dog’s skin and coat. If feeding canned pumpkin, make sure it’s just pure pumpkin puree and not the pre-spiced or sugary pie mix.

Foods Not Safe for Dogs

And of course…your house, your rules, but I avoid scraps under the table. That can lead to a lot of whining…at least from Maxine. So if you wanna let your dog be a part of the big dinner, set aside a portion of food to give them when they eat their meal.

Unfortunately Maxine’s Grandma has never followed this rule, and (like the good Grandmother she is) will just give Maxine scraps under the table.

Thanks, Mom. Happy Thanksgiving.

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