In early August of this year, canines across the Willamette Valley and Portland areas of Oregon began showing symptoms of an unknown respiratory illness. The Oregon Department of Agriculture quickly responded with a statement, sharing they have received over 200 reports of mysterious respiratory illnesses from Oregon veterinarians.
Cases have also begun popping up in at least three other states including Colorado, Massachusetts and Rhode Island according to sources such as the New York Times. Experts, however, believe the affected area is much broader.
According to the ODA’s report, the cases all seem to fall within “three general clinical syndromes,” including chronic to mild tracheobronchitis that lasts 6-8 weeks or longer and chronic or acute pneumonia, all of which are minimally or non-responsive to antibiotics. The most aggressive form of acute pneumonia has been shown to progress rapidly and can lead to death.
While the cases all share similar symptoms and courses, “common respiratory diagnostic testing has been largely negative, and the cause remains unknown,” according to the ODA report.
Jenna Stabri, a resident of Eugene’s Fox Hollow neighborhood, shared her experience concerning the mysterious canine illness. Stabri shared that her dog, a two-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd named Kita, contracted an unknown illness twice following stays at Luckydog Day and Night Care in Springfield. “We boarded her as a test run before a planned vacation from Sep. 1 to Sep. 3,” Stabri explained. “About 3-4 weeks later, she developed an intermittent cough. It rapidly increased within days, and she stopped eating.”
Kita was diagnosed with pneumonia by Four Corners Veterinary Clinic in Eugene, Stabri said. Though she had recovered by Oct. 19, Kita then relapsed during her second boarding at Luckydog when Stabri went on vacation in November. “The boarding was our first experience, as we always had a stable dog sitter. We somehow thought boarding would be safer for her health,” she said. “We were aware of the virus but thought she would not be at risk as she was fully vaccinated.” Stabri later received an email from Luckydog stating they are aware of and working with vets to prevent the spread of a mystery virus.
According to the ODA, the virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets, so places with high concentrations of dogs such as dog parks, boarding facilities or doggy daycares may be where canines are contracting the unknown illness.
Michael LoForti, a senior at the University of Oregon, learned about a mysterious illness circulating Eugene through his dog’s training class at The Well-Mannered Dog in Eugene. “Honestly, I think it should be more talked about because it’s pretty sad I had to find out about it through my puppy classes,” he said. “People should know to be cautious with their dogs, especially if they’re taking them to dog parks or socializing them in general.”
LoForti has a seven-month-old golden retriever puppy named Baron. “Honestly, it’s not that bad having a dog and going to school. It’s like a big serotonin boost,” he said about being a student dog owner. “The most expensive part of owning a dog is pet insurance and vet bills.”
“I cannot imagine how much this could cost for someone who did not have an established vet,” Stabri said. She reported spending over $700 on veterinary visits, x-rays and medication to treat her dog Kita for the illness.
Certified Veterinary Technician and Practice Manager at Willakenzie Animal Clinic, Colleen Wedin, offered some insight on the treatment prices for the circulating illness. “The method of treatment as well as the cost associated with that is going to vary by degree of severity of the illness, and the specific clinic’s prices,” Wedin said. “One should expect to pay a medical examination fee, and in many cases, also expect that antibiotics and cough suppressants may need to be purchased.”
Wedin also offered some advice for any student dog owners. “Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to set aside a few dollars per month in a fund or account, in case of any medical emergency for our furry friends!” she said.
According to the ODA, symptoms of the virus include coughing, sneezing, nasal/or eye discharge and lethargy. If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, they recommend contacting your vet immediately for care.
