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What Causes Mysterious Respiratory Diseases in Dogs?

Veterinarians and researchers are investigating mysterious clusters of severe respiratory illnesses in dogs

Spread of Severe Respiratory Disease in Dogs

Severe respiratory disease appears to be spreading among dogs in at least 15 states, according to recent reports. Veterinarians are comparing this illness to “kennel cough,” a term used to describe various viral and bacterial infections that can cause sudden and bothersome coughing in dogs. However, while kennel cough is typically self-limiting, the recent infections are leading to pneumonia and even death. A research team has identified bacteria with an unusual genome as a potential source.

Impact of the Disease on Dogs

Although many dogs seem to recover from the infection after treatment, others do not respond to traditional therapies and experience long-lasting symptoms or secondary infections, according to Dr. Kathleen Aicher, a veterinarian specializing in internal medicine for dogs and cats at Texas A&M University. Aicher states, “Even if it’s somewhat isolated, for veterinarians who are monitoring these dogs and for the families who love these dogs, it’s very scary.”

Investigating the Mysterious Infection

Veterinary investigators are having difficulty tracking down the organisms responsible for these strange illnesses, according to David Niddel, an associate professor at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and an associate professor at the university. Niddel reported hearing about the illness last year, but in the early days, he did not have samples to analyze, which left him feeling frustrated. He ended up distributing sampling kits to veterinarians at that time, and now his team is receiving samples from a broader range of states, including Oregon, which has been hit hard since August of this year.

Challenges Facing the Investigation

The investigation has been slowed partly due to a lack of funding. Niddel noted, “In human medicine, if this happens, there are millions of dollars to spend on it right away. We don’t have that, and that slows us down a bit. We have to be more selective in how we conduct the investigation.” Additionally, the putative infectious agent that Niddel and his colleagues are tracking does not seem to be closely related to known pathogens and cannot be cultured in the lab. Niddel stated, “If it were something like a new flavivirus [a class of viruses that can cause diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fever in humans] or a new influenza or something like that, it would be easy and quick – it would be identified within a few weeks. But because it’s so strange, it has taken some digging.”

Identifying the Causative Agent

After months of work, researchers have identified a bacterium that they believe is the culprit. It is a small bacterium characterized by an unusual genome rich in the nucleic acid “letters” adenine and thymine but poor in cytosine and guanine – which is unusual for most organisms, according to Niddel. The bacteria also appear to lack key genes that allow them to survive on their own in the environment, suggesting they might only thrive within hosts.

Continuing the Investigation

The team is conducting a series of tests, including assays on new samples. Niddel hopes that his team can confirm the identity of this mysterious causative agent within the next three to six weeks as genetic sequencing and other tests continue.

Precautions to Protect Dogs

Even without knowing the exact cause of the illness, you can help keep your dog safe. The most important thing is to ensure that dogs are up to date on all recommended vaccinations. Rena Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said, “While the existing vaccines may not specifically target this unknown infection, maintaining public health through routine vaccinations can help support dogs’ immune systems in fighting off various infections.”

She added:

“Dog owners should closely monitor their dogs for any gradual coughing that may be accompanied by signs of eye or nose discharge and sneezing.” She added that the situation is particularly concerning if the dog is losing its appetite, experiencing difficulty breathing, or has a persistent cough or severe lethargy.

Other Precautions

Eicher reminds dog owners not to bring their sick puppies to dog daycare centers, dog parks, or other crowded places. And if you need to take a dog with a cough to the vet, call ahead and suggest waiting in the car or bringing your pet through a different entrance to avoid exposing other pets to the infection, according to Eicher.

A local veterinarian can also inform you if the new illness seems to be active in your area, and if so, dog owners may consider taking additional steps, such as hiring a dog sitter instead of boarding their puppy.

But in general, Eicher says dog owners should not rush to panic over this illness. She states, “For most people in the country, if they’re not in an area experiencing a known outbreak, I think life is normal, making sure we do all the things we should be doing all the time. We can’t live in fear all the time.”

Source: Meghan Bartels, Scientific American

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whats-causing-mysterious-respiratory-illness-in-dogs/


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