Since the summer of 2023, there have been whispers about a baffling respiratory sickness sweeping through the dog population in the United States. The initial cases were reported in Oregon, marking the beginning of an unsettling trend.
Initial Discovery in Oregon
In August 2023, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) started receiving unusual reports from veterinarians across the Portland Metro and Willamette Valley regions. These reports detailed an atypical respiratory disease affecting dogs—a condition that was not quite like anything seen before. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association soon announced that over 200 cases had been reported by local veterinarians, signaling the emergence of a significant health concern.
As weeks turned into months, the mysterious illness began spreading eastward, with veterinarians across the country reporting similar symptoms in dogs.
Recollections of Past Reports
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first hint of such a disease. Back in the summer of 2022, veterinarians in several states, including New Hampshire, encountered cases of canine illnesses with symptoms resembling those seen in the recent outbreak. These early cases didn’t gain much media attention, but they provided a crucial baseline for understanding the spread and impact of the disease.
Dogs affected by this illness showed signs commonly associated with other respiratory diseases, such as kennel cough, but with a crucial difference—they were not responding to conventional treatments. This lack of response, coupled with negative results from standard canine respiratory disease tests, prompted further investigation by the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire.
Urgent Research Initiatives in New Hampshire
Researchers at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and the Hubbard Center for Genomic Studies took a deep dive into these mysterious cases. Their findings were startling: the usual pathogens responsible for canine respiratory diseases were nowhere to be found. Instead, they suspected a new type of bacterial infection might be at play.
Dr. David Needle, a leading researcher in this field, referred to the bacteria as a “funky bacterium,” noting its unusually small size and genetic complexity. This peculiar nature made it challenging to identify and sequence, complicating efforts to find a direct treatment.
What Do We Know About This Illness?
Dr. Amber Karwacki from Heart + Paw recently shared insights in a PEOPLE magazine interview, shedding light on the common symptoms of this illness. Dogs affected by this condition exhibit coughing, nasal and eye discharge, sneezing, lethargy, and a loss of appetite. Unlike the dry cough typical of kennel cough, this illness causes a wetter, more persistent cough.
The condition starts with these symptoms but can escalate into pneumonia and, in rare cases, even more severe outcomes. This progression is likely due to the small size of the bacteria, allowing it to penetrate deep into the lungs, as explained by Dr. Karl Jandrey, a professor at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Despite extensive research, growing the bacteria in lab conditions has proven difficult, hindering the development of effective treatments.
Current Treatment Approaches
While a direct cure remains elusive, veterinarians have been prescribing antibiotics as a precautionary measure. These antibiotics target symptoms rather than the root cause of the disease. Additionally, cough medications and sometimes pain relievers are prescribed to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
For severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary. Dogs are placed in oxygen chambers and given IV medications and fluids to support their recovery. The sharing of successful treatment experiences among veterinarians, especially from those on the West Coast who have been dealing with this illness longer, has improved the overall management of affected pets.
Should Dog Owners Be Concerned?
While the situation may sound alarming, it’s essential to maintain perspective. According to Dr. Stephen Kochis, chief medical officer at the Oregon Humane Society, the reported cases represent only a small fraction of Oregon’s dog population, and there hasn’t been an unusual increase in respiratory diseases among pets.
However, caution is advised. Dog owners can take preventative measures such as using separate water bottles at dog parks, avoiding shared bowls or toys, ensuring their pets are up-to-date on all vaccinations, and seeking immediate veterinary care if symptoms appear.
By taking these steps, owners can help protect their furry friends from this mysterious and concerning respiratory illness.
