12/04/2023
𝐔𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 – 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞?
So you’ve seen the stories on the news or your friend posted something on Facebook about this scary new respiratory disease that is spreading across the US. Sound familiar? We’re getting lots of questions about these stories, so here’s our take, along with a link to help those who want more.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝?
There are pockets of reported respiratory infections around the country over the last year. While most start out looking like a “simple” case of kennel cough, some pets develop severe cases of pneumonia and some dogs have died.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?
Unfortunately, nothing. Sadly, as is often the case, a very low number of these dogs had diagnostic tests sent out prior to starting treatment which can complicate interpreting results. The tests that have been sent out have not given us a diagnosis to explain what is happening beyond the usual suspects.
Upper respiratory infections come in the form of viruses or bacteria (and sometimes both at the same time), causing mild to severe coughing in dogs that usually gets better over one to three weeks. Rarely, it can progress into pneumonia (an infection in the lungs). Some of the common culprits have effective vaccines to prevent or lesson the severity of symptoms.
𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲?
There has been an outbreak of an upper respiratory infection at SpokAnimal; however, the tests so far have not given a definitive culprit and all we know is that the severity of the symptoms has been much improved after treating with antibiotics (indicating part of the problem likely was bacterial, although there is likely some other undetermined infection as well).
Our veterinarians 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 seen an increase in respiratory infections in our clients’ dogs in the local area.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?
First, don’t panic!
Second, make sure your pet is up to date for the vaccines your veterinarian recommends, and make sure you get your pets vaccinated at a veterinarian’s office or veterinarian led vaccine clinic. Unfortunately, it’s hard to assess the safety and efficacy of vaccines from in person and online stores as storage at both too cold and too warm of temperatures can damage the vaccine at any point from manufacturer, to warehouse, to delivery truck, to the store’s display, to your house (giving the shot is the easy part).
Third, consider your dog’s overall health and make good decisions related to their risk. This means that dogs that have asthma, cancer, or any other medical condition causing a weakened immune system should probably be cautious about exposure to dogs of unknown health status.
If your dog is likely to consume everything including the kitchen sink resulting in emergency surgery, and your only outlet for their energy is a trip to the dog park or doggy daycare, then it is likely reasonable to continue these outings.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞?
See this link (https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2023/11/articles/animals/dogs/new-weird-canine-respiratory-pathogen-what-do-we-know/) where Dr. Weese explains what information is available. Dr. Weese is a veterinary epidemiologist – a veterinarian who specializes in disease spread – and does a great job going through what we know, what we think we might know, and his take on how to proceed.
