- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
Veterinary laboratories in several states are investigating an unusual respiratory illness in dogs, and encouraging people to take basic precautions to keep their pets healthy as veterinarians try to pin down what’s making the animals sick.
Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are among the states that have seen cases of the illness, which has caused lasting respiratory disease and pneumonia and does not respond to antibiotics. Symptoms of respiratory illness in dogs 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. It has encouraged pet owners to contact their vet 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.
Dogs have died, said Kurt Williams, director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University. But without a clear way to define the disease or test for it, he said it’s hard to put a number on how many died from a severe form of the infection.
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I wonder if they’ve tested the dogs for COVID. I know there were some concerns early on about whether or not dogs could get COVID; but now I’m wondering if it’s possible COVID has made the jump to dogs.
I think it was confirmed near the start that dogs could get it.
I don’t remember when but I remember stories about dogs and cats getting covid.
I’ve only seen reports of animals testing positive for Covid, but not reports of any symptoms. Although there was a recent case of a woman who was believed to have caught c-diff from her cat.
If you look up " Lion infected with COVID " there’s plenty of examples of this happening since 2020. Even big cats were catching, and subsequently spreading COVID back to humans and other cats.
It kinda sounds like these dogs have some sort of other illness that’s being spread around, but its definitely possible for other mammals to catch covid and get sick. Sounds like it sucks regardless of your size or species.
Do you remember when the Chinese were killing their pets in the thousands to stop them passing on COVID?
I’m very concerned that it could be a new strain of avian flu which has already shown up in European fox farms as well as domestic cats.
It can’t be COVID if it’s being successfully treated with antibiotics
It says it does not respond to antibiotics.
Good point. I’m sure the medical professionals didn’t think of - what did you call it? Covid? - during their medical evaluation of respiratory disease.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Bit of a dick today, aren’t we?
Well this is terrifying. I’m not in an affected state but my dog loves the dog park. I’ll feel bad keeping him away from it but it may be best to err on the side of caution.
Oregon, Colorado, and New Hampshire are pretty widespread. Odds are very high that this is everywhere already.
The NH cases have been around since April. It’s probably safe to assume that all of NE has it now.
Oregon
It’s dysentery. It’s always dysentery.
I suppose for once I’m thankful that my dog is antisocial as hell and kind of hates the dog park. At least we can keep her safe without feeling like we’re depriving her. I hope for everyone’s sake that they figure out what it is and how to treat it asap.
More coverage on the NH cases (Aug 2023)
Veterinarians in southern New Hampshire are dealing with an increase in calls about an aggressive respiratory illness; more than 99% of affected animals recover, but some become very sick.
Dogs in New Hampshire have been dealing with a contagious respiratory illness.
“We are seeing a large number of dogs with any signs ranging from runny nose and eyes, coughing, up to labored breathing, high fevers,” explained Dr. Erin Crowley of the Veterinary Emergency Center of Manchester. “We are seeing dogs and we are tracing them back to kennels and day cares, groomers, anywhere where a large number of dogs are coming together.”
Antibiotics are prescribed for the illness. Some have been hospitalized from two to seven days. More than 99% of the dogs recover, but vets are finding dogs of all ages becoming very ill.
One dog, 8-month-old Wallace, became sick at doggie day care and was admitted Thursday with pneumonia. He’s now receiving nebulizer treatments.
The Veterinary Emergency Center of Manchester has seen about 300 cases of the aggressive illness in the past couple of months. Most of the phone calls to the 24-hour clinic have been from owners describing their dogs’ coughing or breathing issues.
Concern started around school vacation week in April, and the veterinarians attribute this recent spike to people leaving their dogs to go on vacation.
The illness is airborne, and because it is contagious, the clinic has set up a separate entrance to keeps sick dogs isolated.
Antibiotics are prescribed. Some dogs, like Wallace, are hospitalized from two to seven days.
“Hey, I’ve seen this one!”
Thanks for the info.
Anecdotal evidence I have noticed of late.
I came down with covid a month ago. It resolved within a week to ten days, oof that fever and headache.
A friend 300km away had his house down with it a week later. Their dog then started displaying respiratory virus symptoms. I have not visited these folks in almost 2yrs.
My ex has cats who live 100km in the other direction. They are sneezing and have goopy eyes now too.
I moved two weeks ago. This is the only time my cat has experienced the outdoors in years. As she was carried to the car / new place.
She is now exhibiting respiratory virus symptoms.
All anecdoatal, far too small sample size, and it could be the stress of the move reignited something else for her… But i have noticed the odd seeming frequency of overlap with canine and feline respiratory issues, and people, of late.
Not enough details in this news story to figure out if it’s just one reporter taking an interview and really spinning it out of proportion. All articles I can find come from the same source.
As someone who lives in Washington and reads the regional news every day, I can confirm that this is not the first time it has been reported upon. Originally, it was talking about the illness only being in the Portland area.
I can say that all 4 of my dogs caught it.
They’re still alive, but my 13 year old has not and probably won’t return to full function. He’s got some pretty significant scarring on his lungs. We are in one of the affected states, and they caught it from the neighbors’ dogs who brought it home from the groomers.
It’s definitely in my area.
Poor puppies. I hope they do end up feeling better. While respectful of your privacy, your general state or area would be?
I’m in Oregon. Straight down the i-5 from Portland, which is where I understand it to have started
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