GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan's state veterinarian has issued a warning about a mysterious infectious respiratory illness affecting dogs in more than a dozen states.
The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are encouraging pet owners to contact their vet if they notice any symptoms.
MDARD has not received any reports of the illness here in Michigan yet, but it has been found in nearby states, including Illinois and Indiana.
Not a lot is known right now about respiratory illness, but it is very contagious and spreads among dogs that encounter other dogs.
“While the exact cause of this illness remains unknown, taking some basic steps to prevent a dog’s exposure to harmful germs can go a long way to protecting their overall health,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland. “If owners notice respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge) in their dogs, it is important to reach out to their veterinarian early on in their animal’s illness so diagnostic testing can be completed and an appropriate course of treatment can begin.”
Animal health experts are still trying to figure out the cause so that they can treat it.
Signs of the disease include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, fever, loss of appetite and lethargy.
The coughing could last for weeks and even months. This may lead to a severe form of the illness and progress to life-threatening pneumonia.
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet right away.
“Because common respiratory illnesses (i.e., kennel cough) in dogs is generally self-limiting, veterinarians may not routinely perform diagnostic testing. However, performing testing early on can serve multiple purposes,” said MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory director Kimberly Dodd. “If a more common cause of illness is found, it may give owners peace of mind. Based on the diagnosis, clinicians can better predict the course of illness and administer antibiotics when warranted. If routine diagnostics are negative, having acute samples can help us as we try to identify the cause of this atypical respiratory illness.”
To make sure your dog stays healthy, reduce contact with unknown dogs. Avoid shared food and water bowls. Keep sick pets at home and make sure they're up to date on all vaccinations.
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