11/27/2023
Below is the latest update from the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association on this canine respiratory illness that is going around. We also wanted to take this opportunity to let you know what we are doing to help combat it.
🐾We sanitize every surface that a dog has been in contact with immediately after they leave our location.
🐾Dogs not of the same household are not placed directly next to each other in kennels.
🐾We ask that you do not drop your dog off early for their appointment and you are prompt for pick up after you’ve been called that the dog has been completed. This is so that your dog is not here longer than is needed.
🐾Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccines.
🐾Please reschedule your appointment if your dog has been to a dog park or a boarding/kennel facility in last 14 days.
🐾Dogs that exhibit signs or symptoms of this illness will be sent home and their appointments rescheduled.
If you have any further questions on the canine respiratory illness that is going around please contact your veterinarian for best advice. If you have any questions for us, as always, you can contact us at 541-476-1718.
In light of multiple news reports recently about a canine respiratory illness of unknown origin in Oregon, we know that dog owners are concerned.
While over 200 cases of atypical canine respiratory disease have been reported by veterinarians to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Dr. Stephen Kochis, the chief medical officer for the Oregon Humane Society, told the New York Times he does not want people to panic because this figure represents a small number of all the dogs in the state. “We are not seeing an uptick in respiratory disease outside of the ordinary expectation for pets that would get respiratory disease,” he said.
Officials in other states have reported similar canine illnesses. Along with the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, veterinarians, scientists and laboratories in multiple states are studying the possible origins of this illness.
We know that dog owners want to keep their pets safe. We recommend that owners exercise caution—not worry. Respiratory illnesses caused by viruses or bacteria can occur in dog populations and these illnesses are often treatable. Symptoms of respiratory illness in canines may include coughing, sneezing, fever, nasal and/or eye discharge, loss of appetite, and lethargy. If your dog shows these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
We also encourage you to speak to your veterinarian about what vaccines are appropriate for your dog. These may include canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza. Additionally, you may consider reducing contact with large numbers of unknown dogs such as at dog parks, dog day care and boarding. Avoid communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs. And, most importantly, if your dog is sick, isolate them at home and seek veterinary care.
