{"id":5806,"date":"2024-01-31T07:27:01","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T13:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/healthsecurity\/transmission\/?p=5806"},"modified":"2024-01-31T07:27:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T13:27:04","slug":"7-questions-answered-about-the-unidentified-dog-respiratory-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/healthsecurity\/transmission\/2024\/01\/31\/7-questions-answered-about-the-unidentified-dog-respiratory-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"7 questions answered about the unidentified dog respiratory illness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PBS Newshour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An unidentified respiratory illness<\/a> spreading among canines in more than a dozen states has been causing anxiety and fear among dog owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the symptoms appear similar to those caused by other known canine respiratory illnesses, this new ailment does not respond as effectively to existing drugs and can lead to serious medical issues in some dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as researchers work to understand the illness, Carmen Rustenbeck, the founder and CEO of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association, cautioned against overreaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re still in the panic mode from COVID,\u201d she said. \u201cI think we need to sometimes take a deep breath and step back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know about this ailment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is this a completely new illness or a resurgence of something pre-existing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s likely that this new illness is caused by a conglomeration of familiar pathogens that commonly infect canines, said Dr. Deborah Silverstein, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think right now we have no reason to definitively suspect anything mysterious or new. That doesn\u2019t mean it is not possible,\u201d Silverstein said. \u201cBut I do think we should try to exclude the known factors first and treat the treatable and prevent the diseases that we know are commonly culprits for this disease prevention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canine infectious respiratory disease complex, also known as \u201ckennel cough<\/a>,\u201d is a common form of respiratory illness among dogs often caused by a combination of several types of bacteria and viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silverstein said researchers are focusing on eliminating the usual suspects and deciding if a new medical response is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo many questions and so few answers, honestly,\u201d Silverstein said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the symptoms?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) lists the following symptoms<\/a> and recommends dog owners consult with their vets if they arise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n