CANINE CONCERN: Mysterious dog illness worries area pet owners

Dec. 1—TRAVERSE CITY — A mysterious respiratory illness affecting dogs in some areas of the country is raising concerns among pet owners in northern Michigan.

"I'm not super worried right now, but I'm certainly paying attention to the latest news about it," said Sherry O'Connor, an Antrim County resident. "Whatever is causing this new illness just isn't clear. I don't think it has reached our area yet, but it could be just a matter of time."

O'Connor owns two dogs — a full-bred Brittany named "Ruby" and a feisty fox terrier named "Gem."

Other area pet owners are expressing similar concerns.

The new mystery dog illness typically causes sneezing and coughing, as well as discharge from the eyes and/or nose. Unlike typical "kennel cough," this ailment can last for many weeks or even months, according to a veterinary medicine team at Colorado State University.

It is not routinely fatal to dogs, but some dogs with weakened immune systems can develop pneumonia from it and die from that complication. So far, there is no test or treatment for the illness.

"Please consult your veterinarian immediately if those clinical signs develop, particularly if your dog concurrently loses its appetite, has trouble breathing, is coughing continually, or is extremely lethargic," said Rena Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

"While the existing vaccines may not specifically target this unknown infection, maintaining overall health through routine vaccinations can help support a dog's immune system in combating various infections," Carlson said.

Even more puzzling, dogs with this new disease usually test negative for the bacteria and viruses normally associated with kennel cough, according to pathologists at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

Local veterinarians and specialists said this illness has, thus far, not spread to the area. But, without a reliable diagnostic test, it's difficult to be certain of that. Hot spots are reported in southern New England, Oregon, California and Colorado, according to the AVMA.

The closest states to Michigan to report outbreaks are Illinois and Indiana.

Beth Clute is a veterinary tech at the Clarke-Everett Dog and Cat Hospital on Cass Street in Traverse City. She has 17 years of experience in the field and a degree from Michigan State University.

"We simply do not have enough information yet to even know if a dog has that illness," so their clinical team is following the latest bulletins and news from the profession, she said.

The best strategy? Take common-sense precautions, Clute said. "Get to know your dogs and pay attention to their health. If you notice something wrong, call your vet and say something."

Pet lifestyles can increase or lessen their risk of contracting a communicable disease, she noted. If a dog is frequently interacting with other dogs, such as at a dog park or in a kennel, the chance of catching a virus or bacteria goes up.

"That's why we take precautions at our clinic — keeping ill dogs apart and isolating them from other animals," Clute said.

Clute also recommends that dog owners learn from the human COVID-19 experience. That means limiting contact with other dogs in other households. For example, she said, limit visits, kennel stays or pet trips to residences with other dogs.

So far, there is no evidence that the mystery illness can be transmitted from dogs to humans, Clute said.

Getting regular vaccinations for dogs is another important strategy. "They can benefit greatly from scheduled vaccinations," she said.

The AVMA also recommends that people wash their hands after contact with a pet that lives outside their household.

Tia Barbera, shelter manager at the Cherryland Humane Society, said there is a formal protocol in place for sick animals that arrive at their facility. "We conduct a vet team evaluation, perform testing when indicated and put those animals in our isolation wing. Thank God we have not seen this new illness yet here, but we are ready if does arrive."

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is working closely with the MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in East Lansing to monitor the spread of this new canine illness in the region, as well as provide guidance to veterinary clinics around the state.

"Because common respiratory illnesses (i.e., kennel cough) in dogs is generally self-limiting, veterinarians may not routinely perform diagnostic testing. However, performing testing early on can serve multiple purposes," said MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Director Kimberly Dodd.

"If a more common cause of illness is found, it may give owners peace of mind. Based on the diagnosis, clinicians can better predict the course of illness and administer antibiotics when warranted. If routine diagnostics are negative, having acute samples can help us as we try to identify the cause of this atypical respiratory illness."

To best keep Michigan's dogs safe and healthy, MDARD strongly encourages owners to:

* Work with their veterinarian to ensure their dog is up to date on routine vaccinations.

* Make sure their dog is fully vaccinated before interacting with other dogs.

* Avoid food and water bowls shared by multiple unknown dogs.

* Contact the veterinarian if their dog is exhibiting any signs of illness

* And, if they are ill, keep the dog at home and away from other dogs.

* Also, keep their dog away from dogs that are sick or whose vaccination status is unknown.

Also, MDARD is encouraging animal shelter and kennel staff to follow their intake and vaccination protocols when bringing in new dogs and continue to follow required isolation protocols and recommended cleaning/disinfection procedures for surfaces and equipment.

Scientists in New Hampshire believe that a "funky pathogen" — a bacteria without a normal cellular wall — may be the culprit causing this new dog illness.

David Needle of the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the University of New Hampshire called it a small "weird bacterium" that's hard to find and sequence for DNA studies. It may have evolved from sources in the canine genome, but much more work needs to be done before reaching a definitive conclusion, he said.

In the meantime, O'Connor plans to keep a close watch on her two beloved four-legged companions. "Everyone knows I love them!" she said.