#17,768
This week there have been numerous media reports of an as-yet unidentified respiratory illness affecting dogs in multiple states (e.g. Oregon, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho, California, etc.) - with cases apparently going back to at least last summer.
While a viral illness is suspected, it has yet to be identified. Tests for canine H3N8, and other respiratory viruses common to dogs, have come back negative.
While scattered cases of similar illnesses have been reported since last year, this outbreak gained attention last August after an outbreak was reported in and around Portland, Oregon. Symptoms include a mild cough that frequently progresses to severe pneumonia, and which can be fatal.
We've several reports. First, from the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, a press release from earlier this month.
NOVEMBER 9, 2023
CANINE INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN OREGON
Media Inquiries: Please direct your requests to the Oregon Department of Agriculture spokesperson.
Published 8.7.23 | Updated 11.9.23
In August 2023, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) began receiving reports of an atypical canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRDC) circulating in the Portland metro and Willamette Valley areas. ODA received over 100 reports of illness meeting the criteria from veterinarians.
ODA is actively working with reporting veterinarians and specialists at OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine (CCVM), the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL), and the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (USDA-NVSL) to find the causative agent behind these cases.
What is Currently Known
Based on the cases reported as of late summer 2023, ODA provided this case report "heat map" (shown at right), accurate as of that time.
Based on the epidemiology of the cases reported to date, ODA says the cases appear to share a viral etiology, but common respiratory diagnostic testing has been largely negative. A handful of cases do test positive for M. cynos, but that is not believed to be the underlying causative agent.
The cases reported to ODA appear to primarily fall within three general clinical syndromes:
- Chronic mild-moderate tracheobronchitis with a prolonged duration (6-8 weeks or longer) that 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 in as little as 24-36 hours.
Next Steps
ODA has engaged with several emergency veterinary practices to begin widespread sampling of potential respiratory cases, which will be paired with PCR testing using generic primers, virus isolation, and rapid whole genome sequencing in hopes of diagnosing an etiologic agent.
ODA is working with pathologists and virologists at the OVDL, as well as the USDA-NVSL, to implement a diagnostic testing plan. ODA is awaiting genome sequencing results on several acute samples from the USDA, which may provide guidance moving forward.
Should Dog Owners Be Worried?
We suggest caution rather than worry.
Periodic outbreaks of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) can occur in a dog population. At least nine different bacteria and viruses have been linked as causes of CIRDC, which is transmitted by respiratory droplets. Infection with more than one bacterial or viral agent is common. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy. If your dog shows these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. We encourage you to speak to your veterinarian about what vaccines are appropriate for your dog. These may include canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza.
If you have concerns about your dog being present in groups of dogs, such as at an agility event or while boarding, we recommend that you consult with your veterinarian about recommendations for infection prevention and mitigation.
General suggestions for dogs attending events or situations with a group of other dogs include:
- Make sure all dogs are up-to-date on all their vaccines including canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza.
- For event organizers: Dogs should have a health check 12-24 hours before the event. Have a DVM onsite checking dogs for health issues (mild nasal discharge, cough, elevated temperature, being off food).
- Please consult with your veterinarian for dog-specific advice before attending any events where dogs are congregated.
CIRDC Backgrounder
Periodic outbreaks of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) can occur in a dog population and some cases can be serious. Transmitted by respiratory droplets, both viruses and bacteria can cause CIRDC.
CIRDC cases more commonly occur in animals housed in settings such as shelters, boarding, or training facilities rather than in animals housed in private homes, especially those with limited access to other dogs.
Veterinarians treat cases according to the dog's symptoms and severity of symptoms. Treatment may include antibiotics. Most dogs, especially those vaccinated against respiratory illness, experience a mild illness.
Symptoms of CIRDC include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy. If your dog shows these symptoms, please check with your veterinarian.
- CIRDC cases more commonly occur in animals housed in settings such as shelters, boarding, or training facilities rather than in animals housed in private homes, especially those with limited access to other dogs. like with other respiratory pathogens, the more contacts your dog has, the greater the risk of encountering a dog that’s infectious.
- Reducing contact with sick dogs. This can be harder to determine but if a dog looks sick (coughing, runny nose, runny eyes), keep your dog away from it.
- Keep sick dogs at home and seek veterinary care.
- Avoid communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs.
- Ask your veterinarian for advice on which vaccinations your dog should have. Common vaccinations include canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza.
- If it's sick, consider having your dog tested with a PCR test to help determine the causative agent (viral/bacterial), if possible.
We will update this information as events warrant.
Two days ago the American Veterinary Medical Association published an update (excerpts below).
Oregon dealing with respiratory illness incidents in dogs
Causative agent remains unknown
By Malinda Larkin
November 17, 2023
The cause behind a canine infectious respiratory disease that began circulating in the Portland metro and Willamette Valley areas of Oregon a few months ago remains a mystery.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has received more than 200 case reports from veterinarians since the middle of August, said Andrea Cantu-Schomus, communications director with the ODA, on November 16.
Dr. Ryan Scholz, Oregon state veterinarian, is working with reporting veterinarians and specialists at Oregon State University’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL), and the Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (USDA NVSL) to find the causative agent behind these cases.
“Based on the epidemiology of the cases reported at this point, the cases appear to share a viral etiology, but common respiratory diagnostic testing has been largely negative,” Cantu-Schomus wrote in an email. “A handful of cases do test positive for M. cynos, but that agent is not believed to be the underlying causative agent.”
(SNIP)
The ODA is working with pathologists and virologists at the OVDL as well as the NVSL to implement a diagnostic testing plan in these cases. Complicating matters, however, is that in most cases tested to date, it appears that the period of shedding may already be passed by the time cases are seen by the reporting veterinarians.
To address this limitation, the ODA has connected with several emergency veterinary practices to begin widespread sampling of potential respiratory cases, which will be paired with PCR testing using generic primers, virus isolation, and rapid whole genome sequencing in hopes of diagnosing an etiologic agent.
The ODA is also working with an animal rescue entity in the Salem area, which had several cases within their rescue population, to collect samples for serology. The OVDL will be testing these samples using broad serologic tests to hopefully narrow down the pool of potential etiologic agents, Cantu-Schomus said.
And finally we have this statement, from Colorado State University.
Respiratory illness strikes canine community in Colorado’s Front Range, CSU veterinarians warn16Nov, 2023
By Brooke Garcia, CVT
A contagious illness leading to upper respiratory infection is affecting the canine community along the Front Range of Colorado, surprising pet owners and veterinary circles in recent months. The possible virus, which is under intense observation by Colorado State University veterinarians, has been linked to cases of severe pneumonia and, tragically, resulted in some fatalities.
The uptick in cases has left veterinarians looking for answers and pet owners on edge. While coughing with the typical syndrome usually only lasts seven to 10 days, some cases this year have continued coughing for several weeks. In addition, while pneumonia occurs in some typical kennel cough cases, this year the numbers of pneumonia cases seem higher.
“Contagious respiratory disease in dogs (kennel cough or the canine infectious respiratory disease complex) is common and there are multiple viral and bacterial causes,” said Dr. Michael Lappin, board-certified internal medicine veterinarian at the CSU James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. “However, in recent months, cases are being diagnosed more frequently and the course of disease is different than usual, surprising both pet owners and veterinary health care providers. It is currently unknown whether these unusual cases are caused by a virus or a bacterium, or a combination of both types of infection.”
CSU experts are working to unravel the mysteries surrounding this unusual syndrome and are are particularly interested in determining whether the cause is a new or exiting virus or bacterial infection. Dr. Amanda Cavanagh, board-certified emergency veterinarian and head of the CSU Small Animal Emergency and Urgent Care service, expressed concern and eagerness for better understanding and data to inform treatment and disseminate information.
“The health and well-being of our canine companions are paramount,” Cavanagh said. “We are actively learning about this illness, its causes, transmission, and potential treatment measures to protect our beloved pets.”
Clinical findings and tests completed to date suggests that most dogs with the unusual syndrome have a virus that primarily targets the respiratory system, leading to secondary bacterial infection and pneumonia in affected dogs. The mode of transmission remains unclear, but early observations indicate it appears to be contagious, and CSU veterinarians are treating patients in isolation to contain the spread. Veterinarians and public health officials are studying whether this is a new virus or bacterium, or a more pathogenic form of a known agent, Lappin said.
The good news is we haven't seen any indications that this canine illness can be spread to humans, or other animals. The not-so-good news is this illness does appear to be spreading among dogs, and until it can be properly identified, effective treatments may be remain elusive.
Stay tuned.
