What We Know About the 'Mystery Illness' Affecting Dogs

This summer, veterinary clinics in the Pacific Northwest began reporting cases of a “mystery illness” affecting dogs. The Oregon Department of Agriculture reported more than 200 cases initially, before the illness began spreading to additional states.

As of late November 2023, possible cases of the unknown illness in dogs had been reported in 14 states, according to Dr. Rena Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), quoted in USA Today.

According to AVMA, the mystery illness dog symptoms include:

Inflammation of the trachea (throat) that lasts six to eight weeks or longer and does not respond to typical antimicrobial treatment.

Chronic pneumonia that doesn’t respond to typical treatment.

Pneumonia progressing to severe pneumonia that can cause serious complications or even death.

The cause of the mystery illness in dogs remains unknown—diagnostic labs across the country are testing samples from vet offices where cases were suspected to identify the virus or microbes making dogs sick.

Until we know more, the Chewy veterinarian team advises pet parents to avoid exposing their dogs to other dogs unnecessarily as much as possible, and to work with their vets to make sure their dog’s vaccinations are up to date.

“Respiratory illness in dogs can be caused by a wide variety of bacterial, viral, and even fungal infections and are often contagious among dogs in high traffic areas,” said the team. “During flu and cold season, it may be prudent to avoid crowded doggy areas such as dog parks, doggy daycare, or kennels when possible. Ask your veterinarian if vaccinations for any respiratory illness should be part of your pet’s preventative care plan. Canine influenza and Bordetella vaccinations may be recommended.”

If your dog is experiencing any symptoms including coughing, trouble breathing, eye or nasal discharge, or acting tired, it’s a good idea to see your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to an emergency vet.

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