LA County looking into mysterious dog illness

A variety of dog breeds have been affected by the illness, with symptoms similar to Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex or kennel cough. FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES – LA County public health officials are investigating a mysterious respiratory illness that has been detected in a rising number of dogs across the country.

At least 10 cases have been reported to the LA County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) Veterinary Public Health Program. The affected dogs have ranged in age from 9 months to 11 years, LACDPH said in a media advisory.

The mysterious disease has been reported in several states, including Colorado, Oregon and New Hampshire. Health officials are trying to figure out what’s causing the current outbreak and how widespread it is.

A variety of dog breeds have been affected by the illness, with symptoms similar to Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex, or kennel cough. This highly contagious respiratory disease affects breathing passages and the lungs.

LA County public health officials are investigating a mysterious respiratory illness that has been detected in a rising number of dogs across the country.

“The LACDPH’s Veterinary Public Health Program has received multiple reports of dogs experiencing a sudden respiratory illness of unknown origin, similar to case reports in other states,” the media advisory said.

Symptoms

Symptoms include cough, nasal discharge, sneezing and lethargy in dogs. “Currently, Public Health is in case-finding mode to determine if and to what extent there is a new respiratory illness impacting dogs in Los Angeles County,” the advisory said.

LA County health officials said they are communicating with federal and state agencies to “ensure coordinated efforts as we learn more from our ongoing investigations.”

This respiratory illness is currently known as Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (aCIRD). Cases are currently defined as having a negative canine respiratory PCR test panel, which tests for common viruses and bacteria identified in dogs with similar symptoms, plus one of the following clinical scenarios:

• chronic mild-moderate respiratory infection that lasts more than six weeks and is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics
• chronic pneumonia that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics
• acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to poor outcomes within 24-36 hours.

Given the lack of knowledge about the cause of this disease, the department advises veterinarians and dog owners to be on the lookout for symptoms such as cough, sneezing, nasal discharge and lethargy in their dogs.

If a dog is experiencing these symptoms, owners should take the following steps:

• Contact their pet’s veterinarian so the pet may be evaluated and, if indicated, the appropriate tests and medications may be provided.
• Isolate sick dogs at home for a minimum of 28 days past the first day of the onset of illness. Dogs exposed to the sick dog should quarantine at home and away from other dogs for 14 days to monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness.
• Clean regularly and disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, keyboards and animal equipment. To disinfect, use an EPA-registered disinfecting product or a stronger bleach solution.
• Keep the dog home and away from day care, boarding kennels, grooming facilities and dog parks.
• If a dog becomes ill after being boarded or being in a facility, owners should take it to a veterinarian for evaluation and they should also notify the facility about the illness.