As a veterinarian with years of experience, I have seen my fair share of canine illnesses. However, over the past year, there has been a concerning increase in the number of dogs becoming infected with a mysterious respiratory disease. This disease has been termed Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (AciRdC) by my colleagues in the veterinary community. It is a highly contagious and potentially fatal illness that continues to spread throughout the United States, causing worry and concern among veterinarians and dog owners alike. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has reported that at least 19 states have registered cases of this mysterious disease.
However, due to the lack of national data tracking for canine diseases, it is difficult to accurately trace the spread of this illness. The AVMA has also stated that the disease usually starts with a persistent cough that can last for weeks or even months. What is most concerning is that this cough does not respond to regular treatments such as antibiotics or antivirals. In some cases, the cough can progress to pneumonia, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Since early November, several expert groups and government agencies, including the Colorado and Oregon departments of agriculture, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, have issued warnings about this mysterious disease in dogs.
As a veterinarian, I have noticed that this illness seems to affect dogs regardless of their age, size, or breed. However, it is more common in dogs that have recently spent time with other dogs in places like kennels or dog daycares. Dogs with short snouts, such as pugs and bulldogs, may also be at a higher risk for contracting this illness. Many veterinarians and expert groups are urging dog owners to keep their pets away from places where dogs tend to gather in groups, such as boarding schools, grooming salons, and dog parks. If your dog develops a cough, do not panic.
Instead, keep a close eye on their progression and overall health. If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. Dogs with this mysterious illness often have coughs, sneezes, eye or nasal secretions, and may appear abnormally tired. What is most alarming is that they do not test positive for any common cause of canine respiratory illness. The Oregon Department of Agriculture reported in November that dogs with respiratory illnesses typically have a cough for seven to 10 days.
However, many veterinarians have seen an increase in the number of dogs with a cough that lasts for weeks or even months and does not respond to treatment. This was also confirmed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture in their November report. According to pet insurance company Trupanion, claims for dogs with respiratory illnesses are increasing in several states. As a veterinarian in Rhode Island, I have personally seen at least 35 cases of this mysterious respiratory disease. However, it is challenging to determine the exact number of cases as not all are reported.
Dogs are more likely to contract this illness when they are in close contact with other dogs, such as in dog daycares, parks, or kennels. The Oregon Department of Agriculture received reports from state veterinarians about more than 200 cases of this disease between mid-August and mid-November, and the numbers are still rising. Similarly, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has reported treating twice as many cases as usual during an outbreak of canine infectious respiratory disease. The Wisconsin State Journal reported that clinics across the state have treated between six and 12 cases each since late October. Dr.
Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stated that this is highly unusual for this time of year. Typically, cases of contagious coughs decrease in autumn as temperatures drop and there are fewer dogs in parks. However, this year, the number of cases has remained high. In my own practice, I have witnessed all three scenarios. Recently, I have seen more dogs than usual with a chronic upper respiratory tract infection that later develops into pneumonia due to a secondary bacterial infection.
In a small subgroup of these dogs, pneumonia can be severe and even fatal. However, most dogs respond well to antibiotics and recover over time without developing pneumonia. Unfortunately, some dogs do not respond to treatment and may die or need to be euthanized. Since most states do not record the number of cases, it is challenging to determine the exact number of deaths caused by this mysterious disease. However, it has been confirmed that some dogs in the United States have died from it.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture stated that in rare cases, canine patients progress rapidly from pneumonia to death. The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences at Colorado State University also reported that the disease has caused some deaths. As a veterinarian, I have personally had several canine patients who have died from what I believe to be this mysterious respiratory disease. Shelly Pancoast, president of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, told WJAR that she has seen five to 10 dogs die from this illness. Researchers at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire told NBC News that they have identified a bacteria that could be responsible for the increase in respiratory diseases in dogs.
However, further testing is needed to confirm this theory. According to Dr. Scott Weese, professor of pathobiology at the University of Guelph Veterinary School and director of the university's Center for Public Health and Zoonosis, it is also possible that the cause of this illness is a bacteria or virus that has existed for a long time but has not been identified until now. He also suggests that some dogs may have reduced immunity due to pandemic-era boarding and daycare restrictions, and vaccination rates in dogs are declining. The AVMA, the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have compiled a list of states where cases of this mysterious disease have been reported. The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has also recently started testing for the disease, although no cases have been confirmed in the state.
As a veterinarian, I urge all dog owners to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their pets from this mysterious respiratory disease.
