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Mysterious Illness Strikes Dogs Across Multiple States

Concerned Dog Owners Exchange Advice on Mysterious Illness

Amidst growing concern over a mysterious illness affecting dogs, concerned pet owners are turning to social media to exchange advice and support. Owners of sick dogs are sharing information on the best disinfection products for facilities, as well as providing firsthand accounts of caring for dogs with the suspected syndrome. The goal is to pass along this information to veterinary treatment teams caring for newly infected dogs.

This informal citizen reporting has uncovered possible cases in over 21 states, revealing the widespread nature of this illness. However, it is important to note that these diagnoses have not been verified by researchers.

Search for the Cause Continues

Veterinarian Dr. Edward Needle encourages dog owners to be patient as the search for the cause of this illness continues. The development of any kind of vaccine is still a long way off. However, he hopes that ongoing research will help veterinarians in impacted areas better understand how to treat sick dogs. This may even lead to changes in their treatment approaches.

Dr. Needle explains that researchers are investigating whether the illness is caused by bacteria and if so, what type they are dealing with. This information will help identify which medications will be most effective, eliminating those that won’t work.

Importance of Funding for Veterinary Research

Progress in the research of this illness is expected to be slow, as funding for veterinary research is minimal compared to high-priority human respiratory diseases. However, Dr. Cantu-Schomus emphasizes that this outbreak underscores the importance of funding state veterinarian offices and diagnostic labs. He stresses that a robust veterinary infrastructure not only protects the health of animals but also human public health.

Preventative Measures for Dog Owners

While the number of dogs known to have contracted the illness is still a small percentage of the overall dog population, dog owners are urged to watch for signs of infection and ensure their dogs are up to date on recommended vaccines. Additionally, it is advised to avoid large crowds of dogs in areas with reported cases of the illness.

Access to Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

For dog owners whose veterinarians are seeing an uptick in unidentified respiratory disease, they can contact the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The laboratory is in the early stages of researching this condition and requires more samples to aid their research.

Caution and Vigilance

Dr. Needle emphasizes that caution, not fear, is the recommended approach for dog owners. He advises using basic public health practices with dogs and staying updated on veterinary news for forthcoming updates. The research team is optimistic that significant progress will be made in the coming month.