How to Protect Dogs from the Mysterious Respiratory Illness

by | Nov 20, 2023 | Dog Health

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A highly contagious, drug-resistant respiratory illness is rapidly spreading across the United States, infecting dogs, and taking the lives of some. This is how I'm keeping my dogs healthy.

I initially read about a respiratory illness reported in Oregon and California at the end of the summer of 2023. It's highly contagious and presents like kennel cough or the canine flu, but veterinarians aren't sure what this is, and traditional treatments (antibiotics) aren't effective in all cases. Today, hundreds of cases have been reported in Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusets, and Rhode Island, and the illness continues to spread in California and Oregon (scroll to the end to see the complete list of states to date).

Dog owners across the US are reporting sick dogs, and sadly, some dogs have died from this illness.

Reported Symptoms of Respiratory Illness

Symptoms of this new respiratory illness include:

  • coughing (that doesn't clear up on its own)
  • sneezing
  • nasal or eye discharge
  • lethargy
  • difficulty breathing
  • blue or purple gums due to lack of oxygen

In some cases, the illness progresses to pneumonia within 24 to 36 hours. I've read that the illness initially presents as a cough that can last several weeks and may not respond to antibiotics. Because traditional treatments are proving ineffective, dogs struggle to breathe and soon develop pneumonia. I contacted my veterinarian, and my risks are low; her contacts in California report that clinics are seeing at least ten cases daily, and some dogs require hospitalization.

How Dogs are Contracting the Respiratory Illness

Some infected dogs began showing symptoms after spending time at a doggy daycare, shelter, or boarding facility. Any place where our dogs may come nose-to-nose with other dogs – dog parks, pack walks, group training classes, pet stores, groomers, veterinarian clinics – can pose a risk, but that doesn't necessarily mean these places should be avoided. Pet business owners are monitoring the illness and will take necessary precautions to keep our dogs safe.

Veterinarians share that they usually see spikes in respiratory illnesses in the summer when dogs go to dog parks; cases tend to die down in the cooler months – but not this year.

That doesn't mean we should lock our dogs indoors and avoid public spaces. Instead, we're being reminded to take safety measures.

  • Contact your veterinarian to discuss your dog's risk; this illness hasn't spread to every state (or every area of states affected).
  • Speak with pet establishments regarding the precautions they are taking to ensure the safety and well-being of dogs in their care.
  • Rethink holiday plans that involve boarding your dogs; hire a pet sitter or ask a trusted family member or friend to watch your dog instead.

Some veterinarians will recommend up-to-date vaccinations, especially those that protect against respiratory illnesses like Bordetella and kennel cough. Some feel this is a questionable recommendation and should be discussed with your vet after researching your options.

For more information on this illness, Dr. Jeff Grognet recorded a video that explains what's happening clearly: Dr. Grognet

Protecting My Dogs from the Respiratory Illness

While veterinarians around the country are trying to figure out the best treatment protocol, I'm taking steps to protect my dogs from this mysterious respiratory illness.

  • We've halted trips to the dog park or anywhere my dogs will come into close contact with other dogs.
  • My younger dogs are up-to-date on their vaccines.
  • I feed a raw food diet emphasizing gut health and the immune system.

These steps don't guarantee that my dogs will be safe because there is always an exception to the rule. Based on my experience as a dog owner, I believe these to be a good start. I'm also paying attention to their behavior – I won't panic when a dog sneezes; however, I will call our vet if one develops a persistent cough.

How to Boost a Dog's Immune System

I believe feeding a fresh food diet (raw, cooked, freeze-dried, dehydrated) is the first step to building a robust immune system in dogs. I add supplementation to provide additional support:

As you can see, there are several options, all of which boost a dog's immune system, no matter their diet. Raw feeding won't protect our dogs from every disease, but by doing what I can to strengthen my dogs' immune system, I'll give them a better chance at avoiding this illness or recovering rapidly should they come into contact with the bacteria or an infected dog/surface.

States with Respiratory Illness Cases

As of November 20, 2023, the following states have been included on lists of where cases of the mysterious respiratory disease are being reported.

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • Oregon
  • Rhode Island
  • Washington

If you look at individual states, some outlets state that there are cases, while others say there are no reports. Please note that the media is running behind on this story; the lack of reported cases doesn't mean the illness isn't spreading in your state.

Given how rapidly the news can change, I've decided to be safe, avoid socializing with dogs I don't know, and focus on my dogs' immune system. There is a Facebook group that is tracking cases and symptoms: 2023 Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Tracking

Myths About this Mysterious Illnesses

Many theories are floating around on social media, including suggestions that this is a ruse to promote the flu vaccine. To date, veterinarians are still searching for the source of this illness, which has proven resistant to traditional treatments, but people have learned that it's not a virus; it's a new (mutated?) bacteria. I can't entirely agree with people who claim this isn't a new illness. While respiratory illnesses aren't new, they can mutate, becoming a new drug-resistant strain like what we're seeing in 2023. Mutation is influenced by the level of circulation within a population. While all viruses and bacteria undergo mutations, the rate of such mutation varies between different viruses/bacteria. Some viruses/bacteria mutate very quickly, while others take longer to change.

I choose to take these reports seriously because I know someone who lost a dog to a similar respiratory disease and learned how devasting the illness can be.

Contact your veterinarian for up-to-date stats on symptoms, reported cases, and risks.

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