It is the time of year when those of us in the ER see classic holiday-related cases. From the Labrador who ate the turkey and now is vomiting with diarrhea, to the cat who swallowed a Christmas light bulb (you know who you are!), we’ve seen it all. Most owners are tuned in to ensure their pets avoid chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, and xylitol, however, a new concern has emerged this year. Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), formerly known as Kennel Cough, spreads through respiratory droplets and is caused by viruses or bacteria.
Since the summer, Oregon has been experiencing an alarming number of canine respiratory cases that have been unresponsive to traditional therapies and have yet to be identified. The cases range from mild-moderate cough (which is non-responsive to antibiotics) to aggressive pneumonia, which deteriorates in as little as 24 to 36 hours. These cases have primarily been limited to the Oregon metropolitan areas, however, other states including California, Washington, and many other states, have also reported cases. With seasonal travel upon us, we must remain cautious and vigilant with our pet’s health.
- Avoid high-population settings, such as daycares and kennels if possible.
- Ensure core vaccinations are up-to-date, including canine influenza (those protected have been affected the least).
- If your dog is sick, please keep them home unless you’re seeking medical care.
- Evaluate attending large dog functions, and avoid dogs with runny noses, weepy eyes, or a cough.
- Avoid communal water bowls as dogs can pass bacteria and infections through their saliva.
If your dog needs care, please call us at 949.653.9300. Because of the infectious nature of CIRDC, we will ask you to remain in your car until we have secured a safe location for your pet. Often a respiratory PCR test will be helpful to determine if there is a known cause for your dog’s symptoms. Other testing that may be recommended include blood work and radiographs, which will help us determine if your dog has pneumonia or needs to be hospitalized.
Despite common misconceptions, we cannot hear pneumonia with a stethoscope. If dogs are eating and drinking with a normal energy level, no antibiotics are generally prescribed, and symptomatic treatment will be provided, including cough suppressants. These cases typically resolve in 10-14 days. However, dogs diagnosed with pneumonia often need and generally improve faster with hospitalization, namely IV fluids and oxygen. Complicated cases of CIRDC, may require fluid sampling from the lungs, a procedure which is performed under general anesthesia, so that it may be sent to the lab for culture and microbial identification.
Although there has not been an increase in the number of expected respiratory cases thus far, the lack of response to treatment, unknown cause, and sometimes aggressive and deadly nature of this new disease has given us cause to evaluate holiday plans more critically and respiratory cases more seriously. If you have concerns that your pet may be affected, please call and advise our team so they can prepare for your visit. Remember, offense is the best defense, so talk to your family veterinarian about updating vaccines that are most appropriate for your pet.