Navigating The Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Outbreak in Oregon

By now you may have heard about a new “dog pneumonia” outbreak in Oregon. While this news can sound scary, experts are telling dog owners not to panic! As a veterinary hospital that serves Portland, Beaverton, and surrounding areas, we want to make sure pet owners have the information they need to safeguard their dogs’ health. Here’s everything you need to know about this infectious disease and some precautions you can take to protect your pups.
  
What We Know

In September, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) announced that the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) was investigating reports of “atypical canine infectious respiratory disease.” This disease is considered atypical, or not usual, because the infection is caused by different bacteria or viruses than the more common ones. 

There are at least nine different bacteria and viruses that are known to cause Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC). Currently, a team of pathologists and virologists is working to figure out what virus or bacteria causes this particular canine infectious respiratory disease. 

Where Are Cases Being Reported? 

A heat map of these reported cases shows that Portland, Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene have reported the most cases of this atypical canine infectious respiratory disease. There are also some pockets of reported cases closer to the coast. 

How Does It Spread? 

Much like canine influenza (dog flu) and kennel cough, this atypical canine respiratory infection spreads through respiratory droplets. In other words, infectious dogs transmit the pathogens when they cough, sneeze, or have nose-to-nose contact with other dogs.  

What Are The Symptoms?

In general, it seems like these cases fall into one of three clinical syndromes: 

1. Mild to moderate inflammation of the windpipe, or trachea, and the major air passages of the lungs, or bronchi. This inflammation lasts 6-8 weeks or longer and is minimally or less responsive to antibiotics. This might show up as a dry, “honking” cough, runny eyes and nose, and/or wheezing especially after exercise.
   
   
2. Chronic pneumonia that is minimally or less responsive to antibiotics. Symptoms from chronic pneumonia last for 6 weeks or longer and can include coughing or irregular breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite, runny nose, and fever. 
3. Acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24-36 hours. If you notice a sudden onset of symptoms in your dog including coughing, difficulty breathing, sneezing, nasal discharge, lethargy, or appetite changes, check with your veterinarian sooner rather than later. 

The ODA is currently focusing on how to diagnose cases that lead to acute pneumonia. When we understand the underlying cause and know how to diagnose these cases early, we can provide better treatments that hopefully lead to better outcomes. 

Should Dog Owners Be Worried?

Currently, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association is encouraging dog owners to be cautious rather than worried! They also outline a few ways that dog owners can protect their pets from respiratory illness. These include: 

• Avoiding contact with large numbers of unknown dogs. Because this infection spreads through respiratory droplets, it can spread rapidly in dog parks, doggy daycares, shelters, and kennels.​
  
  
• Reduce contact with sick dogs. This can be difficult to assess, but if you notice a dog coughing or sneezing, keep your pet a safe distance away. In multi-dog households, set up a safe and comfortable quarantine space if you notice one of your pets exhibiting symptoms. 
  
  
• Avoid communal water bowls. If an infected dog sneezes or drools in a communal water bowl, it may spread the disease. Keep an eye out for communal water bowls at parks, restaurants, on neighborhood walks, and elsewhere. 
  
  
• Ask your veterinarian for vaccine advice. The OVMA has noted that most dogs, especially those vaccinated against respiratory illness, experience a mild illness. Your veterinary team can help you make a plan about the best vaccinations to protect your pup based on their age, health history, and lifestyle! 
  
  

These safety precautions are especially important if your pup has a chronic condition, is taking immunosuppressant medications, or has a history of severe respiratory infections. 

While not much is currently known about what causes this infectious disease, ODA is working with pathologists and virologists to figure out the best way to diagnose and treat these patients. If your dog is showing symptoms of a respiratory illness, please give us a call so we can get them seen! We’ll provide updates and more information as it becomes available.