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.