If you have been paying any attention to the news over the past several weeks, you probably already know that a new respiratory illness in dogs is making its way throughout the nation and, in extreme cases, can be fatal. Fourteen states in the United States have recorded cases of the disease, with Colorado and Oregon reporting the largest outbreaks.
There have been no cases reported in Pennsylvania as of this column’s submission. But with the holidays now approaching, more people will probably be traveling, which will certainly bring this unidentified sickness to the Keystone State. Owners of dogs should be aware of what to watch out for and how to respond if their pet is impacted.
Colorado State University veterinary researchers are presently looking into the epidemics. Although they are still investigating whether this sickness is brought on by a novel virus or a well-known but severe strain of bacteria or virus, they believe that it falls inside the purview of the Canine Respiratory Sickness Complex (CRDC).
This disease damages the lungs, making lung tissue vulnerable to bacterial pneumonia, which can be fatal in extreme circumstances. Although it hasn’t been confirmed, there have been a few stories of dogs suffering from various aftereffects, like thromboembolic. This new illness is distinct from Kennel Cough, which is also classified as CRDC but typically only causes a moderate, self-limiting cough.
This respiratory infection manifests as fever, inappetence, coughing, and tiredness. While some dogs seem to be affected just very slightly, some canines are not doing as well. Dogs of various ages and breeds have been documented to contract this ailment, but it appears to affect them more seriously in the very young, very elderly, brachycephalic breeds (such as French bulldogs and pugs), and in dogs with other underlying medical issues.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible if you think your pet is impacted. You should get help for your pet right away if they are having breathing problems, probably from a 24-hour emergency clinic. To prevent illness from spreading, even if your dog is lucky enough to only be experiencing moderate symptoms, please keep them apart from other dogs.
For this ailment, there are currently no conclusive diagnostic tests available. Blood work, radiography, clinical history, and clinical suspicions that are compatible with the illness will all be used to make the diagnosis. Please be aware that this new disease can mimic existing respiratory conditions that are not covered by the CRDC, such as lungworm, lung cancer, congestive heart failure, and aspiration pneumonia. To rule out these additional causes, your veterinarian will suggest the necessary diagnostic procedures.
As of right now, the new sickness has no known cure. The majority of treatments focus on treating symptoms, with medicines used to treat pneumonia and subsequent infections. Across the nation, veterinarians are discovering that oxygen therapy is beneficial in extreme cases. The majority of the hospitals in our area lack oxygen chambers due to cost. Because of this, to ensure that your pet receives the oxygen they require if they become seriously ill, your veterinarian could advise referring them to a larger hospital close to Pittsburgh or State College.
Preventing your dog from contracting this new ailment is the best course of action. Preventative treatment and vaccinations should be kept up to date for your pet; keeping your dog free from other illnesses can strengthen its immune system. Please be ready to practice “social distancing” with your dog if cases come to Pennsylvania to prevent them from getting exposed. One of the most important things you can do to help prevent this sickness is to make sure your dog doesn’t greet, play with, or share toys or food with other dogs.
Compared to the suburbs or city, our dog density is lower, thus we are optimistic that we won’t see an outbreak of the mystery dog respiratory ailment in New Bethlehem. We do not, however, deny that this novel illness has the potential to be fatal for the canines it affects. Please monitor internet news sources to stay up to date on cases in the Pennsylvania area.