Mysterious Respiratory Infection in Dogs , Detected In 14 States.
'USA Today' reports that pet owners are on high alert after an infectious respiratory disease was first detected among dogs several months ago.
'USA Today' reports that pet owners are on high alert after an infectious respiratory disease was first detected among dogs several months ago.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the infection has now been detected in over a dozen states.
Experts remain unsure what is causing the illness, but say the common symptoms appear to be coughing, sneezing and lethargy.
The mystery infection can also lead to pneumonia and does not respond to antibiotic treatments.
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Since August, veterinarians have reported over 200 cases in Oregon, while other states have yet to report numbers of the infection.
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I think a subset of animals can develop pneumonia, more or less like upper respiratory, bronchitis, rhinitis, tracheitis, David Needle, Senior veterinary pathologist at the University of New Hampshire’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, via 'USA Today'.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture warned pet owners who notice symptoms, especially those related to pneumonia, to contact a veterinarian immediately.
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Experts suggest that dog owners make sure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccines and practice social distancing from other dogs.
Researchers who have been studying the unknown illness for over a year say that the small genome, a bacterium, is "host adapted" and unlikely to spread to humans.
David Needle, senior veterinary pathologist at the University of New Hampshire, says that no cases of owners getting sick have been reported.
David Needle, senior veterinary pathologist at the University of New Hampshire, says that no cases of owners getting sick have been reported
