Cases of a mysterious and fatal dog illness are being reported nationwide, as veterinarians scramble to find out what might be causing this condition.
The sick dogs faced symptoms of respiratory illness, which include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge and lethargy. Some cases of the pneunomia progress quickly, making dogs very sick within 24 to 36 hours.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has documented more than 200 cases of the disease since mid-August. The department encourages pet owners to contact their veterinarian if their dog is sick and told state veterinarians to report cases as soon as possible. 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.
Cases have so far been reported in Oregon, Colorado, New Hampshire and the surrounding Northeast area, California, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho, Georgia, and Florida, according to NBC's Today Show. Although no cases have been reported in New York, veterinarians advise dogs owners to take precautions.
The Today Show says regardless of whether they live in a state where cases have been reported, to keep dogs away from areas where they're likely to come into contact with other dogs. It is also advised to not use boarding kennels for your dog when travelling this holiday season.
Dogs should also be vaccinated against respiratory diseases, such as Bordetella and canine influenza. Ensure to give your dog two weeks after vaccination before interacting with other dogs so they can build up immunity.
If your dog has been diagnosed with the mystery coughing illness, consider asking your veterinarian about submitting a sample to a research lab to help with the efforts to identify the cause.
