12/03/2023
REMINDER: THERE IS NO SANTA EVENT TODAY AT GOLF ROSE. For more information regarding the canine respiratory illness, please read below and speak with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.
Veterinarians and news outlets across the country are reporting cases of a respiratory illness in dogs that is non-responsive to standard medical treatments. Although we have not seen any cases yet at Golf Rose or in the area, we know the illness has been documented in the state of Illinois and want to do what we can to answer questions and help you prevent your dog from getting sick. We’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions and answers below.
What does this respiratory illness look like?
Cases have presented slightly differently, but typically doctors are reporting one of the following:
Chronic mild to moderate cough lasting 6 to 8 weeks or longer that is minimally or non-responsive to antibiotics.
Chronic pneumonia that is minimally or non-responsive to antibiotics.
Rapidly progressing acute pneumonia that often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24-36 hours.
What’s causing this?
The underlying cause of the illness is currently unknown. Some experts theorize that it is of viral origin due to lack of response to commonly used antibiotics. Canine Respiratory Infectious Disease Complex (CRIDC) is a common problem linked to at least 9 different bacterial and viral organisms.
How do I know if my pet is sick?
Initial symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nose and/or eye discharge, fever and lethargy. Pneumonia can develop.
What should I do if my pet has symptoms of this illness?
Call your veterinarian right away. Our doctors will likely recommend x-rays to evaluate if there are signs of pneumonia or other respiratory illness. We urge you to call ahead if you think your pet is infected so that we can properly isolate them upon arrival at our hospital and protect other pets who are here.
How is it treated?
Treatment will vary based on the severity of your pet’s condition. Mild cases may only require treating the symptoms and monitoring at home while others may require hospitalization. Please note that coughs may persist for several weeks after infection, but as long as things aren’t worsening and there are no signs of pneumonia, additional treatments may not be necessary.
How can we prevent it?
During this time, we strongly encourage you to make sure your pets are up to date on all vaccines, including Canine Influenza, Bordetella, Adenovirus Type 2 (the A2 in DA2P-PV) and Parainfluenza (the first P in DA2P-PV). If you need to schedule an appointment or are unsure if your pet is up to date, please call us at 847-885-3344.
Please also take precautions when bringing your dog into public places, avoid communal water and food bowls and consider limiting boarding, grooming, daycare and training sessions. If you choose to board your pet or have a grooming appointment with us, please know that we sanitize our facility multiple times a day and are taking precautions, but it is still a “communal” pet area. We are still open for both services at this time and will keep clients updated as we learn more.
Are cats at risk?
At this time, there is no evidence that this illness affects cats.
We understand that the possibility of your pet contracting a new illness can be scary and we are here for you if you need us – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have questions or think your dog needs to be seen, please call us at 847-885-3344.
