Veterinarians across multiple states, including Oregon, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada, and the Northeast, are grappling with an alarming outbreak of a mysterious respiratory condition in dogs that has proven to be fatal. The illness has left experts scrambling to identify the cause and find effective treatments.

The initial symptom that most dogs present with is a persistent cough that can last for several weeks. What makes this condition particularly concerning is that it is resistant to traditional antibiotic treatments. Dr. Lindsay Ganzer, a veterinarian at North Springs Veterinary Referral Center in Colorado Springs, described the rapid progression of the illness, saying, "It seems to happen very, very quickly. [Dogs] go from this cough that just won't go away... then all of a sudden they develop this pneumonia."

Kevin Snekvik, the Executive Director of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, shed further light on the symptoms, stating that affected dogs typically run a fever and exhibit lethargy. He explained, "They'll become lethargic, meaning they want to lie around more when normally they'd be wanting to play outside... and the coughing part of it, that becomes more productive like a wet cough, like a hacking cough." Other symptoms reported by the Oregon Department of Agriculture include sneezing, eye or nose discharge, fatigue, blue or purple gums from oxygen deprivation, trouble breathing, and negative results for other common respiratory illnesses.

The outbreak has been particularly severe in Oregon, where the Department of Agriculture has received over 200 reports of the unidentified condition since mid-August. Dr. Ganzer's hospital has been collaborating with a research lab in New Hampshire, which has been studying the illness since 2022, by sending samples from dogs afflicted with severe pneumonia. The American Veterinary Medical Association is closely monitoring cases in other states, but the exact number of affected pets nationwide remains unclear.

Experts believe that dogs are most likely to contract the condition through close contact with other dogs, such as at daycare facilities, groomers, boarding kennels, and dog parks. Amanda Cavanaugh, head of urgent care services at Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, noted that typically, cases of contagious coughing conditions in dogs decrease in the fall as temperatures cool and fewer canines congregate in parks. However, this year, the spike in cases has remained high.

Kurt Williams, director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostics Lab, has been studying the illness for approximately a month and a half. Researchers are currently working to identify a potential cause or causes for the condition. Williams speculates that it could be a virus, stating, "The way the cases are presenting, the way that they're apparently spreading - anecdotally, of course - it sounds infectious."

To prevent the spread of the illness, the Oregon Department of Agriculture advises dog owners to ensure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccines, including for canine influenza, Bordetella, and parainfluenza. They also recommend that dogs undergo health checks 12 to 24 hours before attending events with other dogs. Consultation with a veterinarian for dog-specific advice before congregating with other dogs is strongly advised. Snekvik further advised dog owners to avoid boarding their pets over the holidays if possible and to minimize contact with unfamiliar dogs.