Oregon officials warns of unusual respiratory illness in dogs
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, November 21st, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
SALEM — Health officials in Oregon are investigating an unusual respiratory illness in dogs and encouraging people to take basic precautions to keep their pets healthy as veterinarians try to figure out what’s making them sick.
Vets say the illness causes lasting respiratory disease and pneumonia and does not respond to antibiotics. Symptoms of respiratory illness in dogs include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge and lethargy. Some cases of pneumonia progress quickly, making dogs very sick within 24 to 36 hours.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture says it has documented more than 200 cases of the disease since mid-August. It has encouraged pet owners to contact their vet if their dog is sick and told state veterinarians to report cases as soon as possible. The agency says it is working with state researchers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory to find out what is causing the illnesses.
The ODA says dog owners should make sure that their pets are up to date on vaccines, including those that protect against various respiratory illnesses.
Click here for more information about the illness.
