Mysterious dog illness is in New Mexico. What pet owners should know about kennel cough

Leah Romero, Las Cruces Sun-News
·3 min read

Respiratory illness cases often spike in the fall and winter months. This season, dogs are the ones especially affected.

Experts are still investigating an outbreak that's affecting canines across the country. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association explained the disease falls under the category of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), which includes canine parainfluenza and influenza viruses, canine respiratory coronavirus and canine distemper virus, among other viruses.

CIRDC is often referred to as kennel cough.

In a guide AVMA published Dec. 6, the organization said the pathogens responsible for the current outbreak are still being identified.

Mysterious respiratory illness is spreading amongst dogs
Mysterious respiratory illness is spreading amongst dogs

What are the symptoms of 'kennel cough' outbreak?

According to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, symptoms can include:

  • Trouble breathing

  • Wheezing

  • Coughing and/or sneezing

  • Fever

  • Discharge from eyes and/or nose

  • Lethargy

  • Dehydration

  • Loss of appetite

Dog owners are encouraged to reach out to their primary veterinarian if their dog begins showing any of these symptoms. Particularly if their pets present with:

  • Lingering cough

  • Weakness

  • Worsening of illness

  • Severe cough that hinders breathing or causes vomiting

AVMA noted several factors may increase a dog’s risk of becoming ill, including:

  • Short-nose breed, such as French Bulldogs

  • Very young or old age

  • Compromised immune system

  • Pre-existing respiratory disease or heart disease

How do I protect my dog from a respiratory illness?

The AMVA said outbreaks of CIRDC are not necessarily cause for alarm as they occur regularly. Most dogs will only experience mild symptoms and recover in seven to 10 days.

To protect pets against illness, owners should ensure their dogs are up to date on their vaccines. This reduces the chance your dog will become ill and, if they do contract a virus, vaccines will make it less likely they develop severe symptoms.

Suggested vaccines include canine influenza, Bordetella and canine parainfluenza.

Experts also suggest keeping dogs away from communal spaces such as dog parks, boarding facilities and groomers.

The guidance notes that dogs may be contagious and not display any symptoms. Owners should limit their dog’s interaction with unfamiliar dogs, particularly because of unknown health and vaccine status.

People should also wash their hands after handling dogs to reduce possible spread to other dogs. And while AVMA experts said humans are not at significant risk of contracting a virus from a dog with CIRDC, it is still possible.

Sick dogs should be kept away from other dogs.

Is mysterious dog illness in New Mexico?

The state Department of Agriculture said on Dec. 1 the state has had reported cases of dogs with symptoms of the illness. The department said veterinarians are working with the AVMA and other reporting states on identifying the virus. State samples from dogs that are suspected of being infected are being sent to the University of New Hampshire, the lead investigating organization.

According to a map created by DogFlu.com, most states across the country have reported cases this season. However, the cases include all viruses that fall under CIRDC, not just the cases of the suspected mysterious illness.

Dog owners are encouraged not to panic if their pet is coughing. Veterinarians advise pet owners to contact their pet's primary vet if symptoms increase or continue and to stay up to date on overall animal wellness.

Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on X, formerly Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Dog illness cases found in New Mexico: Symptoms, how to protect pets