Cases of canine respiratory disease increase in a US city
In an alarming escalation of cases, infectious canine respiratory disease has taken a firm grip on the Portland area and Willamette Valley, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association warned.
In a recent statement, the association revealed that the disease, surprisingly resistant to antibiotics, has left its mark on more than 100 dogs since August, even leading to the tragic deaths of some canines.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has been closely monitoring the situation and working tirelessly with specialists at Oregon State University’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as state and national veterinary laboratories to identify the cause behind these cases.
Also collaborating with a pet shelter in the Salem area that has experienced several recent incidents, the ODA is implementing emergency measures to contain the spread of the disease.
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Although Bordetella bronchiseptica has been ruled out as the underlying cause of the disease, according to ODA spokesperson Andrea Cantu-Schomus, the root of the problem is still unknown. Veterinarians have denied the possibility that it is a disease transmitted from humans to dogs, easing the concerns of pet owners in the region.
Amanda Cavanaugh, from the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, shared her experience with the new variant of the disease. “Instead of that dry cough that the dog felt fine with, now it’s a wet cough that the dog feels sick with,” she said, highlighting the evolution of symptoms that has baffled veterinary professionals.
Stop the spread of pet diseases
In an effort to contain the spread, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association is stepping up efforts to test dogs before they show obvious symptoms. They have urged pet owners to make sure their dogs are up to date on their vaccinations and, in some cases, to avoid crowded areas where they may interact with many other dogs.
The cases detected so far fall into three categories, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture:
- Mild to moderate chronic tracheobronchitis: With a prolonged duration of 6 to 8 weeks or more, this form of the disease has been shown to respond minimally or not at all to antibiotic treatments.
- Chronic pneumonia: Characterized by minimal or no response to antibiotics, this variant of the disease presents an additional challenge to veterinarians as it manifests as a prolonged and debilitating condition.
- Acute pneumonia: The most severe form of the disease, this variant develops rapidly, leading to fatal results in an astonishingly short period of 24 to 36 hours. The speed with which this acute form progresses has stunned many animal health experts.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding this mysterious canine disease, veterinarians and health authorities are urging the pet ownership community to be alert and take preventive measures. Collaboration between different institutions, ongoing research, and implementation of containment strategies are crucial at this time to combat the spread of this canine emergency in Oregon.
