One veterinarian pathologist said he has been researching the illness for nearly a year.
Topline
The Department of Agriculture and other veterinary agencies are investigating an infectious respiratory disease affecting dogs across the U.S., after several states reported incidents of dogs suffering from pneumonia-like symptoms, though little is known about the illness and how it spreads.Key Facts
The Oregon Department of Agriculture first received reports of an “atypical canine infectious respiratory disease” that was circulating around Portland in August, and has since received more than 200 case reports from veterinarians, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The illness typically results in chronic mild to moderate inflammation of the trachea, chronic pneumonia that is “minimally” responsive to antibiotics, or acute pneumonia that “rapidly” becomes severe and “often leads to poor outcomes” within 24 to 36 hours, according to the ODA.
Colorado State University reported a “contagious illness leading to upper respiratory infection” among dogs in the state last week, adding that initial clinical tests indicated that dogs with the illness have a virus that “primarily targets the respiratory system,” which could result in bacterial infection and pneumonia.
