Dogs owners advised not to panic over respiratory virus; cases seen in Carson City and statewide

A respiratory virus has been circulating for months in the western U.S. and Canada, with veterinarians in Carson City and statewide in Nevada having reported suspected cases.

For the past several months, the virus — canine infectious respiratory disease complex — also known as CIRDC, has alarmed dog owners nationwide. How it is circulating and whether it is a new bug is not clear. What is clear is that dogs have been getting sick to varying degrees.

At Lone Mountain Veterinary Hospital in Carson City, Dr. Katie Roberts said she has seen an increase in pneumonia. Normally she sees three to six cases a year, and this year she has seen that many in just a few months.

Just as with humans during the pandemic, dogs with preexisting medical issues when they are exposed to this current virus face a tougher battle.

Dr. Roberts said nobody really knows if it is kennel cough, or what the dogs are facing. At first, the dogs she sees don't seem to need treatment — no fever, no nasal drip, no lethargy, just a cough.

They don't treat viruses with antibiotics as they don't work. Dr. Roberts said viruses normally last 1-2 weeks, but this one lasts 4-6 weeks. Some get better, then others get worse and it is at that time the dogs show a lack of appetite, nasal discharge, and maybe a fever. If it turns into pneumonia, then antibiotics are prescribed.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture said it is monitoring the illness and is asking veterinarians across the state to report any cases with symptoms corresponding to those of this respiratory illness to the NDA.

“We have received notice of possible suspected cases and encourage anyone who thinks their dog may be affected to notify your veterinarian so those cases may be properly reported and investigated," said NDA State Veterinarian Peter Mundschenk, DVM.

The common symptoms related to this illness include coughing, sneezing, nasal and or eye discharge and lethargy.

“Symptoms of the illness are similar to kennel cough and canine influenza,” said Dr. Mundschenk. “It’s important we rule out those possibilities to help determine if this canine respiratory illness may be at play.”

In South Lake Tahoe, no cases of the virus have been confirmed by local veterinarians. Alpine Animal Hospital watching closely for the respiratory virus, as is Blue Lakes veterinarians. The El Dorado County Animal Shelter has no reported cases, but they are being diligent with all dogs in the county's shelters.

El Dorado County suggests dog owners take precautions and keep their dogs on a leash, watch for symptoms, and if they show any of the symptoms, get to their veterinarian.

On Thursday, there was a canine respiratory illness question and answer Zoom call with veterinarians from San Francisco, Colorado, and Ontario, Canada, hosted by Dr. Steve Weinrauch with Trupanion. More than 8,000 people, over half being veterinarians, were participating in the call for what was called "Separating Fact, Fiction, and Uncertainty."

The panelists on the call were three veterinary doctors who are also professors, and infectious disease experts. Dr. Carrie Jurney, Dr. Michael Lappin, and Dr. Scott Weese. Trupanion is a pet insurance company and they use the data from their customer's claims to assess what is currently happening with dogs.

COVID threw everyone off, even in the veterinary world, according to the panelists. People were staying home and getting more dogs. When working from home became the norm, dogs weren't going to daycare or the groomers as much as pre-COVID. Dogs aren't getting vaccinated as much, resulting in a change in how they are protected against common canine diseases. With less exposure in normal places and fewer vaccinations, they aren't as protected.

The new dog factors created a change in disease patterns, according to the panel. Respiratory issues including pneumonia are always floating around.

So, is it the new dog factors or, is there a new bug?

The Colorado State University Veterinary School is seeing a lot of canine pneumonia, an uptick of at least 50 percent over the same period last year, according to Dr. Lappin.

Dr. Weese says, by looking at the data, there is an increase in respiratory illness. They feel it is being driven by the dog factors (fewer visits for vaccinations, not being exposed to normal viruses, etc) and not a new disease.

The panelists said there is no good surveillance from the states seeing the uptick in sick dogs — it costs a lot of money and nobody is tracking. The only time a screen works is at the very beginning of the virus, and that is when the dogs aren't necessarily visiting the doctor.

As with Dr. Roberts in Carson City, the panelists also pointed to preexisting conditions of a pet can also lead to pets with more severe cases, just as with humans and COVID. Flat-faced breeds (French Bulldogs, the most popular breed right now), and senior dogs are more sensitive.

Dr. Weese said there would be more states presenting the canine respiratory illness if it were a new superbug, but at this time that isn't the case. The first reports show Oregon started seeing this current virus earlier this year, and had a peak that has since dropped. Some reports say a total of 14 states have reported the respiratory virus in dogs.

Expert Recommendations
Vaccinate wisely — Ensure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations to safeguard against common respiratory suspects. This is especially crucial for social dogs, who may have increased exposure to potential pathogens. Consult your veterinarian on vaccinations and maintain a regular vaccination schedule.

Isolate when sick — Just as we would keep ourselves or our children home when they are unwell, the same goes for our pets. If you suspect your pet is sick or exhibiting respiratory signs, such as coughing or sneezing, isolate them from other pets to prevent the potential spread of illness.

Consult your veterinarian — Early detection and intervention are key to managing respiratory illness in pets, especially for those at high risk, including:

— Unvaccinated dogs
— Very old or very young dogs
— Dogs with underlying illnesses
— Flat-faced breeds, including Boxers, Pugs, French or English Bulldogs

Many wonder when they should take their dog to the doctor. The panelists said, "Would you go to the doctor if you felt like your dog looks?"

Noses and mouths are filters for our bodies and the same goes for dogs, said Dr. Roberts.

She said the big thing is not to panic, but to keep the dogs away from dog parks, not to board or groom if the dog is coughing, and don't take your dog to public places for at least the last two weeks after the last cough. Since it is unknown how long the dog is infectious, lean on the side of caution.

All of the doctors have said it is key to keep up on dogs' vaccinations, especially the three key ones: Bordetella, canine influenza, and parainfluenza vaccines. Parvo and distemper vaccines can combine those needed ones, so check with your veterinarian.

Another thing the panelists stressed is to not go by social media tips and concerns. Trust veterinarians and their advice.