Veterinarian Dr. Adam Christman, DVM., posted the following video to help us pet parents with information on the latest mysterious dog respiratory illness that is popping up in various states. Below we have tried to capture the important facts from him.
According to him:
- As of November 24, 2023, the US states that we know of that have this respiratory disease for our dogs are California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, New Hampshire, Rhode Island
- However, it is expected to be widespread because of the holidays that are here and because it’s respiratory season in the United States.
- Precaution one should take would be to avoid dog to dog contact. This means doggy daycare, boarding facilities and grooming facility. Look to see if you can have a friend or someone that could do pet sitting at your house, and mobile grooming. When walking your dog, avoid contact with other dogs, as their version of socially distancing themselves,
- Get them vaccinated against influenza, and Bordetella.
- Make sure they’re up-to-date on everything, including things like flea and tick
- Those dogs that could get much sicker with this respiratory disease because they have another illness going on such as a dog that may have cancer or is going through Lyme disease or heart worm disease treatments should be up to date on everything.
- Should you be bringing your dog to the veterinarian? Yes if you suspect your dog is having any respiratory signs, runny nose or just not themselves. If you’re concerned that they’re going to get sick from something in the hospital, you can ask your veterinarian maybe about curbside service. Find out if these clinics and hospitals have good ventilation systems and they prepared for these types of situation before.
- If your dog gets it or show signs of it, definitely isolate your dog from any other dogs in the population, in the house and get check out by the veterinarian.
- A typical respiratory infection last somewhere between 2 to 3 weeks. This one is known to be lasting much longer. That’s why we would like for you to be seen right away with your dog.
- How worried should you be? Caution rather than worry. Periodic respiratory diseases and outbreaks are expected. This one just happens to be the latest version and we’re still finding out more information as it’s unraveling
- How is this illness spread? Just like any respiratory disease it comes from close contact and sharing the air with an infected dog, and this can even be barking, kennel to kennel and worried about walking your dog because it does vary how dense of a population where you live. Walk your dog away from the other dogs.
- Do not use communal water dishes everywhere. Bring your own bowl or water dishes. Don’t share their dog toys.
- Should you allow my dog to sniff another one? Just use caution
- What’s currently being done to diagnose and to treat this respiratory disease? Your veterinarian is going to use physical exam findings and then diagnostic tests to rule out a lot of the other ones. It is so crucial to rule all those ones out to rule the mysterious respiratory disease.
Dr. Adam Christman, DVM.can be found on his TikTok account https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.adamchristman52/video/7305182843150388526?_r=1&_t=8hl159Q4ZZ5 and his website https://dradamchristman.com/
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