As a veterinarian with years of experience, I have seen my fair share of canine illnesses. However, the recent outbreak of a mysterious respiratory disease in dogs has caught my attention and raised concerns among pet owners. This disease, known as MRCI (mysterious canine respiratory disease), is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among dogs, even those with little contact with other dogs. The signs of this illness include coughing, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and lack of appetite.
However, not all dogs will show these symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. The severity of MRCI can range from no signs at all to a serious illness that can lead to pneumonia and even death. It is important for pet owners to keep their dogs up to date with vaccinations, especially those related to respiratory diseases like Bordetella and canine flu. While we know that MRCI is different from these pathogens, it is possible for respiratory diseases to be complicated by the presence of multiple culprits.
In veterinary medicine, this is known as a canine infectious respiratory disease complex or commonly referred to as “kennel cough”. One of the distinguishing features of this mysterious disease outbreak is the high number of dogs that develop pneumonia. Although it is unlikely for humans to contract this illness, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends washing your hands thoroughly after touching any dog. The Oregon Department of Agriculture reported in November that dogs with this mysterious illness often have a persistent cough and other symptoms like sneezing, eye or runny nose, and abnormal tiredness.
However, they do not test positive for any common cause of canine respiratory illness. This outbreak has been linked to places where dogs are in close contact with each other such as daycare centers, dog parks, groomers, and kennels. According to Dr. Ganzer, a veterinarian at Freshpet, the virus responsible for this outbreak has mutated into a highly infectious form known as the canine flu virus (CIV).
However, pet owners can rest assured that they will not contract this virus from their dogs. In recent weeks, there have been reports of outbreaks of a fatal respiratory illness in dogs in animal shelters across the United States. These dogs typically have a thick green mucous discharge from their noses and require broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. It is important to thoroughly clean any surfaces or objects that come into contact with an infected dog with soap and water.
If you need to house your dog or take them to a place with other dogs, it is best to consult your veterinarian for guidance beforehand. While most infected dogs will only develop a mild form of canine influenza and recover without complications, some may develop serious and potentially fatal pneumonia. As an expert veterinarian, I cannot stress enough the importance of good nutrition for your dog's overall health and immune system. Dogs infected with the H3N2 strain of canine influenza are at a higher risk of developing more severe symptoms.
Therefore, it is crucial to monitor your dog's health closely if they have been exposed to this virus. Although cats and dogs rarely transmit the virus to each other, it is best to keep them indoors to prevent the spread of the flu. As we continue to learn more about this mysterious canine respiratory disease, it is important for pet owners to stay informed and take necessary precautions to keep their furry companions healthy and safe.
