Canine Respiratory Illnesses

A Letter Regarding Recent News

December 2023

To our Canine-Owning Clients:

Many of you have recently heard news stories discussing an unidentified atypical upper respiratory infection that has been going around the U.S. There seem to be 3 types of illness seen:

1. Chronic upper respiratory symptoms (cough) for 6-8 weeks, despite antibiotic and often despite prednisone treatments
2. Chronic pneumonia, minimally responsive to antibiotics
3. Acute pneumonia that rapidly progresses within 24-36 hours

At Bridgewater Veterinary Clinic, we have seen more chronic respiratory cases over the last several months, though to date, none have been sick enough to hospitalize and none have died.  This is not a “new” problem, as the news media is implying, but a trend of more chronic or resistant respiratory infections. 

Veterinarians and researchers have been working at identifying the causative organism for several months, but so far have not definitively determined the cause. These patients’ samples at the research labs have been NEGATIVE for COVID.

Our current guidance (which is wise regardless of current concerns) includes:

• VACCINATE your dog. Eliminating or reducing the risk of certain known infectious respiratory pathogens (Distemper, Bordetella and Canine Influenza) may provide protection against disease complications if your dog is exposed to more than one pathogen.
• RESTRICT your dog from sharing toys/public water bowls and from interacting with dogs that are coughing or feel unwell. 
• ISOLATE your pet if they develop a cough without a known medical explanation. Coughing dogs should NOT be boarded, groomed, or attend any group setting in order to reduce contagion.
• CONTACT us if your dog develops a cough, especially if you notice signs of progression, such as loss of appetite, lethargy/decreased energy, weakness, difficulty breathing, or discolored nasal discharge. An ER visit is warranted if symptoms are significant and especially if it is after-hours. CALL your preferred ER facility prior to arrival to inform them of your dog’s symptoms and to confirm that they are accepting patients.

REGARDING DAYCARE:

Only you can decide if you are comfortable sending your dog to daycare. In general, our local daycares do a good job with periodic disinfection, maintaining vaccine records/requiring vaccines to be current, and monitoring their guests for symptoms. Ask your daycare provider what they do to reduce your dog’s risk and then evaluate your comfort level.

If we learn more relevant information, we will provide more guidance. It is a group effort to keep any contagion under control and we appreciate your contribution!

All the Best,

Rosemary Botelho, DVM