Unexplained respiratory disease in dogs spreads across the U.S., experts seek to find out

2023.11.21 Tue posted at 14:20 JST

（ＣＮＮ） Respiratory illnesses of unknown cause have been reported in dogs in New Hampshire, Oregon, and other states. In rare cases, it can lead to death, and researchers are working hard to determine the cause.

In a statement released on the 9th of this month, the Oregon Department of Agriculture described the disease as an “atypical canine contagious respiratory disease.” He pointed out that symptoms include coughing, sneezing, eye discharge, runny nose, and lack of energy.

Veterinarians in the state have reported more than 200 cases since mid-August, as well as reports in Colorado, Illinois and New Hampshire.

Ryan Scholz, an Oregon veterinarian who gave a presentation on the disease at a veterinary medical conference, said the cases reported so far appear to have a common viral cause, but most tests for common respiratory illnesses have not been done. It was negative.

The disease is generally resistant to standard treatments, said David Needle, an associate professor of pathology at the University of New Hampshire.

Needle explained that although there are not many cases of death, in rare cases, acute pneumonia can develop after a long-term chronic illness and lead to death, pointing out that there is also the possibility of secondary infection.

Needle and his team are collecting samples from Oregon, Colorado, Illinois and other states to try to determine the cause.

Washington State University’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory also revealed reports of unexplained respiratory illness in dogs.

Kevin Snekvik, a professor at the university, said the number of dogs suffering from respiratory illness is on the rise, with symptoms such as coughing, fever and lethargy that last for more than a few days.

Professor Snekvik said the institute had no reports of dog deaths due to the disease, but several cases had been reported in other states.