An atypical infectious respiratory illness is being seen in dogs in more than a dozen states. The illness is not responsive to antibiotics and can be very serious and even deadly. As of this writing (Nov. 29) there have been no reports of the illness in Arizona, but it is serious enough that we feel our customers should know what to look for and consider taking some precautions with their dogs.
Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge and lethargy.
Precautions you may choose to take:
- Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinations for canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza.
- Avoid shared water bowls and toys and clean these items well.
- Avoid or limit your dog’s exposure to settings with unknown dogs, such as off-leash dog parks or dog-related events.
- Consider creating a playgroup of known dogs that are also vaccinated if socializing is important for your dog.
- If your dog is sick, keep them away from other dogs and get them to the vet right away.
You might want to avoid taking your dog to states or cities that have a number of known cases. The illness has popped up in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
The disease appears to be similar to kennel cough, spreading quickly in high-volume areas like boarding and doggie daycare facilities and dog parks. However even in those areas, vets are suggesting caution rather than worry, as the number of cases represents a small part of the canine population.