Canine disease forces closings of dog parks until further notice
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department announced that it will be closing down the city’s dog parks due to recent cases of a canine respiratory disease until further notice.
“We would like to remind all pet owners of the utmost importance of cleaning up after their pets in all dog parks, trails, local parks, and their own yards," the Park and Recs department wrote on its Facebook page. "This is a crucial step in preventing the spread of (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease) and other diseases that can be transmitted through animal waste. We urge all pet owners to be responsible and considerate of others by properly disposing of their pet’s waste and being up to date on all vaccinations.”
Although not specifically noted, concerns have been rising across the country due to the new, unknown and potentially fatal respiratory illness, Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease, that has been affecting dogs in at least 14 states; Oregon, Colorado, California, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Washington, Vermont, Maryland, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The illness was first detected in August in Oregon and appears to have similar symptoms to kennel cough but does not respond to traditional antibiotics, according to a press release published by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association.
Experts understand that dog owners may be concerned due to reports of dogs passing from the disease, but experts say fatal is rare and that can calm down, according to an Associated Press article.
For dog owners who are concerned their dog may have gotten sick, these are a few common symptoms of respiratory illness in dogs:
Coughing and sneezing
Difficulty breathing
Rapid breathing
Wheezing or nasal whistling
Dehydration
Difficulty exercising
Fever
Nasal or eye discharge
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
For dog owners attempting to be proactive and avoid their dog from contracting the illness, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association recommends the following:
Vaccinate your dog as recommended by your veterinarian. This may include vaccinations for canine influenza, Bordetella, and parainfluenza.
Avoid communal water bowls and toys, and clean these items thoroughly.
Avoid playdates with unknown dogs. Socialization is important for your dog, so you might consider creating a playgroup of known dogs that are also vaccinated.
Avoid or limit your dog's exposure to settings with unknown dogs, such as off-leash dog parks.
If your dog is sick, please keep them at home and seek veterinary care.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Canine disease forces closings of dog parks until further notice
