What is the dog virus
Dog Respiratory Illness Map Update: Mystery Disease Spreads to More States
Dogs are falling sick with a mystery illness across the United States, with cases being recorded in at least 19 states, according to the latest figures from Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine.
Cases of Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (aCIRDC), as it has been dubbed until the cause of the illness is established, have appeared in Maine, North Dakota and Texas most recently, after being found among dogs in 16 states in mid-December. It was previously documented in 14 states as of the end of November.
Other states with confirmed cases are: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state.
Mike Stepien, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, previously told Newsweek it "is currently working with multiple state animal health officials and diagnostic laboratories regarding reports of respiratory illness in dogs that, in rare cases, has progressed rapidly to death," who have "not yet definitively identified the cause of illness."
The illness was first recognized in Oregon earlier in the year, where the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association said it had received 200 reports, with cases appearing to be focused around the Portland area.
Though local dog medics previously told Newsweek there seemed to be little evidence of a widespread outbreak, several seasonal dog events were canceled at the end of last year over fears of the spread of the disease, while health officials have urged owners to limit dogs socializing.
What Are the Symptoms?
Canines that come down with the illness are said to develop symptoms including a cough, fever and lethargy. They can also exhibit sneezing and watery eyes. Some can contract pneumonia and, in some cases, the illness can lead to death.
"This new respiratory illness is starting to present with more symptoms, more severe, they decline more quickly than your typical kennel cough patients would," William Hagans, a veterinarian at the Town & Country Animal Clinic in Hagans, Kentucky told WYMT News.
Experts at LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine said that treatment was currently limited to addressing symptoms due to the unknown nature of the cause of the illness, and urged owners planning to travel with their dogs to ensure it is properly vaccinated.
They added that "there is currently no evidence of zoonotic potential (no evidence it can be spread from animals to people)."
What Is Causing the Illness?
The short answer is we don't know yet. "They still have not found what they call the etiological causative agent," Alan Garett, a veterinarian at Everhart Animal Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas told KRIS 6 News. "And by that, I mean they want to know what's causing it. Is it a virus? Is it a bacteria?"
The University of New Hampshire's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has said that it may have identified a bacterium that may be responsible for the sickness, based on genetic sequencing of 30 dogs that were infected in the state in 2022 and a further 40 from Rhode Island and Massachusetts in 2023.
David Needle, chief pathologist at the diagnostics lab, described the microbe that they had isolated as "a weird bacterium" to NBC News, as it was smaller than normal bacteria that did not have a cell wall. His team has since received samples from Oregon and is expecting more from other states.
Needle previously told Newsweek that the most likely hypothesis was that the illness was caused by a member of "the normal community of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the respiratory tract," but had developed a "virulence-associate[d] gene/trait."
How Worried Should Dog Owners Be?
Dog owners might be worried about an unknown, potentially deadly illness circulating amongst America's canine population, but veterinarians have said they should be cautious without being frightened.
"At this point in time, I don't think there is reason for extreme alarm," Deborah Silverstein, a professor and veterinarian at the University of Pennsylvania, told the New York Times. "I do think it's a time to be cautious and to stay informed."
She said the animals most at risk were those with low immunitysuch as young puppies, the unvaccinated, or older dogsand potentially short-nosed breeds.
While it might upset the dog, vets recommend keeping them away from other dogs, or at daycare facilities that have stringent health policies.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
A mysterious respiratory illness is spreading among dogs and baffling veterinarians. Heres what owners can do
CNN
From New Hampshire to Oregon, researchers are trying to figure out whats causing an infectious respiratory disease among dogs that has turned deadly in rare cases.
The mysterious illness is described as an atypical canine infectious respiratory disease, the Oregon Department of Agriculture said in a November 9 news release. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, eye or nose discharge and lethargy.
Veterinarians in Oregon have reported more than 200 cases of the disease since mid-August. Other cases have been reported in Colorado, Illinois and New Hampshire.
Based on the epidemiology of the cases reported at this point, the cases appear to share a viral etiology, but common respiratory diagnostic testing has been largely negative, Oregon State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz told the American Veterinary Medical Association.
In other words, dogs with the unidentified illness show similar signs of an upper respiratory disease but generally dont test positive for common respiratory diseases. And the disease is generally resistant to standard treatments, said 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.
Needle said hes part of a team trying to identify the disease and find common DNA segments by collecting samples from local veterinary clinics and comparing the results.
If what we have identified is a pathogen, it is likely that the bacteria is host-adapted bacteria with long histories of colonizing dogs, Needle said. An evolutionary event like spontaneous mutation or getting a gene from a different source could then have led the bacteria to become virulent, he said.
He said researchers have received samples from Oregon and expect to receive samples from Colorado, Illinois and other states for testing.
The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has also reported cases of a mysterious canine disease, the labs director told CNN in an email.
There has been an uptick in the numbers of dogs with respiratory disease, (coughing, lethargy, fever) and the signs have been persisting longer than a few days, said Kevin Snekvik, the laboratorys executive director and a professor at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Snekvik said his Washington lab has not reported any canine deaths from the mystifying disease, but said labs in other states have reported a few deaths.
While the news may be concerning, We suggest caution rather than worry, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Associations website says.
While this particular disease is unusual, Periodic outbreaks of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) can occur in a dog population. At least nine different bacteria and viruses have been linked as causes of CIRDC, which is transmitted by respiratory droplets, the association said.
Infection with more than one bacterial or viral agent is common. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy. If your dog shows these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Dog owners should help keep their pets healthy by making sure theyre up-to-date on all vaccines, such as those for canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza, the association said. Other tips include:
Reducing 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 thats infectious. Reducing 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.
Mystery Dog Illness May Not Be a Mystery at All, Experts Say
None of these symptoms are novel; they have long been associated with a common canine condition often known as kennel cough. (The more technical name is canine infectious respiratory disease complex.) Kennel cough is a broad term for a contagious respiratory illness that can be caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria. Cases are typically mild, with symptoms that clear up on their own in one to three weeks, but they can lead to pneumonia or even, in rare instances, death.
The new cases have caused concern because they fall at the severe end of the spectrum, with symptoms that last six weeks or more and do not respond to treatment, including antibiotics. Moreover, many of the dogs have tested negative for the pathogens that commonly cause kennel cough.
Still, whatever is making the dogs sick does appear to be infectious. Dr. Lindsey Ganzer, a veterinarian and the chief executive at North Springs Veterinary Referral Center in Colorado Springs, said that all of the dogs she had treated for the illness had spent time in places with high concentrations of dogs, such as boarding facilities, dog day care or dog parks.
How widespread is the problem?
Its unclear. There is no formal national reporting process and no official case count. According to some news accounts,hundreds of cases have been identified across more than a dozen states, including Oregon, Colorado, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Illinois and Maryland.
Some states have well-documented cases and investigations. Oregons Department of Agriculture, for instance, has logged more than 200 reported cases since August. But in some places, reports of a new mystery illness have been anecdotal or even contradictory, Dr. Carlson said, and the A.V.M.A. has stopped providing a list of potentially affected states. Accurate numbers of cases or states affected are impossible to find or predict, she said.
7 questions answered about the unidentified dog respiratory illness
An unidentified respiratory illness spreading among canines in more than a dozen states has been causing anxiety and fear among dog owners.
While the symptoms appear similar to those caused by other known canine respiratory illnesses, this new ailment does not respond as effectively to existing drugs and can lead to serious medical issues in some dogs.
But as researchers work to understand the illness, Carmen Rustenbeck, the founder and CEO of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association, cautioned against overreaction.
I think were still in the panic mode from COVID, she said. I think we need to sometimes take a deep breath and step back.
Heres what you need to know about this ailment.
Is this a completely new illness or a resurgence of something pre-existing?
Its likely that this new illness is caused by a conglomeration of familiar pathogens that commonly infect canines, said Dr. Deborah Silverstein, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
I think right now we have no reason to definitively suspect anything mysterious or new. That doesnt mean it is not possible, Silverstein said. But I do think we should try to exclude the known factors first and treat the treatable and prevent the diseases that we know are commonly culprits for this disease prevention.
Canine infectious respiratory disease complex, also known as kennel cough, is a common form of respiratory illness among dogs often caused by a combination of several types of bacteria and viruses.
Silverstein said researchers are focusing on eliminating the usual suspects and deciding if a new medical response is needed.
So many questions and so few answers, honestly, Silverstein said.
What are the symptoms?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) lists the following symptoms and recommends dog owners consult with their vets if they arise:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Labored breathing
- Nose or eye discharge
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
In mild cases, the illness can lead to inflammation in the trachea and bronchi. More severe cases can lead to pneumonia, according to the AVMA.
Where have cases been found?
As of Dec. 4 , more than 200 cases had been reported in Oregon since the summer. Across the U.S., the illness has been found in 16 states so far.
Megan McGrew/PBS NewsHour
Which dogs might be most affected?
Silverstein said three canine categories may need extra care and attention if they are affected by an outbreak.
Very young animals that are not vaccinated, very old animals, because they tend to have more coexisting illnesses that might affect their immune system, and then certain breeds that dont tend to have a normal respiratory tract from the day theyre born, Silverstein said.
She said dogs with smooshed faces such as pugs, Boston terriers and bulldogs fall into that third category since their anatomy makes it more difficult for them to breathe.
Is there a risk of the illness spreading to other pets or humans?
At this time, Silverstein doubts there will be any jump to other pets or humans.
She explained that while its not impossible for the illness to mutate and affect humans and other animals, theres no current evidence that this outbreak will spread to other species.
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In general, the risk of people getting sick from dogs with canine infectious respiratory disease is extremely low, AVMA President Rena Carlson said in a statement. However, because we dont know yet exactly what agent or agents is or are causing the current outbreak, its a good idea to thoroughly wash your hands after handling your or other dogs.
What can dog owners do to avoid the illness?
One of Silversteins biggest recommendations is to make sure your dogs are up to date on their vaccinations.
During the COVID pandemic, many pet owners avoided visiting the vet and getting their animals vaccinated, and may have fallen off of the recommended schedule of shots, Silverstein said.
Even if you never board your dog, but you live in a high-rise with 100 other dogs, it may still be worth it because that elevator can be an area of risk, she said.
READ MORE: Why experts worry more pet owners may skip rabies shots over vaccine hesitancy
Its often difficult to detect illness in your dog in general since they obviously cant communicate in human language that something is wrong, Rustenbeck said, but keeping an eye on symptoms and changes in behavior can help owners spot a problem.
You dont want to overreact, but at the same time theyre just so good at hiding their illness, Rustenbeck said.
In general, both recommended staying informed through local vets and pet care staff in case new information comes to light or an outbreak takes place in the community.
During the COVID pandemic, many pet owners avoided visiting the vet and getting their animals vaccinated, and may have fallen off the recommended schedule of shots. Photo by Getty Images
What are boarding kennels and doggie day cares doing to prevent the spread of this illness?
Owners should be aware of the risks involved with taking their dog to boarding facilities, day cares and dog parks places where other dogs may spread the illness, Silverstein said.
Its important to make sure youre comfortable with whatever facility your dog is staying at and perhaps ask them if theyve seen any recent animals that have developed respiratory disease after boarding there, she said.
Rustenbeck similarly recommended that pet owners ask questions and get a feel for the service theyre considering, similar to how parents might research schools and child care options.
While the pet service industry is largely unregulated in the U.S., Rustenbecks organization works to educate boarding kennel and day care owners on various topics, especially maintaining healthy and clean facilities.To that end, she recommends pet owners ask if a business is affiliated with an association.
READ MORE: U.S. animal shelters are overcrowded with pets from families facing economic woes
That means [they] usually have a code of conduct that theyre going to follow, she said.
Rustenbeck explained that reputable kennels and day cares are controlled environments with on-site staff who can notice any potential sickness or problems among the dogs in their care. This is in contrast to uncontrolled environments like dog parks.
As part of that controlled environment, care staff often perform snout to tail inspections of prospective dogs to check for signs of illness. If the dog shows any symptoms, the common protocol is to put the dog in isolation and have the owners come pick them up.
Rustenbeck said, for the moment, boarding kennels and day cares are maintaining usual procedures around preventing the spread of illnesses, but will adopt new policies based on any new guidance from veterinary researchers.
We dont want your dog to get infected either, she said.