Mysterious Respiratory Illness Affecting Dogs Across Several U.S. States

United States of America
A mysterious respiratory illness is affecting dogs in several U.S. states.
Researchers have identified a bacterium that could be behind the illness, but more testing is needed to confirm.
Some dogs have died from the illness, but the exact number is unknown due to lack of a clear definition or test for the disease.
Symptoms of the illness include coughing, loss of appetite, lethargy, and breathing troubles.
The exact cause of the illness remains unknown as it is not showing up consistently on tests.

A mysterious respiratory illness, known as Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (aCIRD), is affecting dogs across several states in the U.S., including North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Los Angeles County in California. The illness is characterized by symptoms similar to other viral infections like influenza, including coughing, loss of appetite, lethargy, and breathing troubles. In some cases, the illness has led to severe complications such as pneumonia.

The disease has been reported in dogs that have recently spent time at a boarding facility or doggy day care. However, the exact cause of the illness remains unknown as it is not showing up consistently on tests. Veterinarians are monitoring for signs of pneumonia, a severe complication of the illness.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has documented more than 200 cases of the disease since mid-August. Some dogs have died from the illness, but without a clear way to define the disease or test for it, it's hard to put a number on how many died from a severe form of the infection.

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire’s Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory have identified a bacterium that could be behind the surge in respiratory illness in dogs, but more testing is needed to confirm. Meanwhile, local officials are investigating the cases and coordinating efforts with state and federal authorities.

In light of the outbreak, health authorities and veterinary hospitals are advising pet owners to be alert for unusual behavior or symptoms in their dogs and to minimize public outings with their pets due to the unknown nature of the illness.


Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • The exact cause of the illness remains unknown and more testing is needed to confirm the identified bacterium as the cause.

Sources

97%

  • Unique Points
    • The disease, known as Canine infectious respiratory disease, is not showing up consistently on tests and its cause remains unknown.
    • Dr. Edward Cooper from The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital has received reports from primary care vets about dogs showing symptoms related to the disease.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

  • Unique Points
    • A mysterious respiratory illness is affecting dogs in North Carolina, with a significant increase in cases reported at Truss Vet Veterinary Urgent Care.
    • The Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital advises pet owners to be alert for unusual behavior or symptoms and to minimize public outings with their dogs due to the unknown nature of the illness.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • The Oregon Department of Agriculture has documented more than 200 cases of the disease since mid-August.
    • Some dogs have died from the illness, but without a clear way to define the disease or test for it, it's hard to put a number on how many died from a severe form of the infection.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • The illness has been reported in dogs that have recently spent time at a boarding facility or doggy day care.
    • Researchers at the University of New Hampshire’s Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory have identified a bacterium that could be behind the surge in respiratory illness in dogs, but more testing is needed to confirm.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • Los Angeles County public health authorities have urged dog owners and veterinarians to take precautions after a mysterious canine respiratory illness, known as Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (aCIRD), appears to have infected local animals.
    • Local officials are investigating the cases and coordinating efforts with state and federal authorities.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication