PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two weeks ago, veterinarians in the Philadelphia region were warning of a potentially fatal “mystery illness” beginning to spread among dogs in areas of the country. A local vet says the respiratory ailment is starting to show up in Philly-area dogs and, while it may indeed be potentially fatal, it may not be as much of a mystery as once thought.
Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine are treating some dogs with respiratory illness. “This is not a mysterious illness, but rather a bad cold that we would see in people that is affecting dogs,” said Dr. Deborah Silverstein, professor and section chief of emergency and critical care.
Silverstein says what they are dealing with could be a cluster of respiratory diseases quite similar to what has been seen in previous years with canine infectious respiratory disease complex, or CIRDC — the term currently in use in place of “kennel cough.”
“Although some animals get severely ill, and some even rapidly deteriorate and die within a short period of time, these are still the minority of patients,” she said, “and most animals with a compliant immune system will be able to clear the infection and go on to be healthy again.”
She says the new illness is likely a resurgence of at least some of the organisms typically seen with CIRDC.
“There are always going to be ebbs and flows in terms of cases that might be less severe, more severe, or increased in number — but there is no reason to believe, at this point in time, that there is anything mysterious or different or worthy of extreme stress for dog owners."
Silverstein says until, or even if, there is proof to suggest otherwise, the recommendations for dog owners remain the same:
— Stay calm. There is no evidence at this time to cause major concern.
— Minimize your dog’s exposure to other dogs with an unknown health status.
— Do not let your dog near dogs that are sick.
— Keep your dog away from other dogs if your dog is sick or coughing.
— Ensure your dog has all of its shots.