Article by Dr. Matthew Wheaton

We hope this message finds you and your beloved pets in great health. It’s our duty to keep you informed about pet health trends, especially when they pose a significant concern. Recently, a worrying trend in canine health has emerged in our area of Southern California in addition to other parts of the country, and we want to share crucial information with you.

What’s Happening?

Over the past few weeks, there’s been a surge in reports of dogs suffering from an acute respiratory disease. This illness, also noted in states like Oregon and Colorado, often manifests as severe symptoms such as cough and pneumonia. Alarmingly, these symptoms are unresponsive to standard treatments, and in some instances, have led to fatalities. It is now known as Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease.

What We Know So Far:

Affected Dogs: The disease has primarily been observed in dogs that frequent boarding and daycare facilities.
Symptoms: Dogs are exhibiting a range of respiratory issues, from mild to severe, including prolonged cough and acute pneumonia.
Diagnostic Tests: The Canine Respiratory PCR panel tests for this disease have consistently returned negative results, indicating an unknown cause.
Cross-Species Transmission: As of now, there have been no reports of this illness affecting other animal species or humans.

Precautionary Measures:

In light of this situation, we strongly advise the following steps to safeguard your furry friends:

Isolation: Keep any sick dog isolated at home for at least 28 days from the onset of illness. Follow proper isolation protocols if hospitalization is necessary.
Quarantine for Exposed Dogs: Dogs exposed to this illness should be quarantined at home for 14 days and closely monitored for any symptoms.
Disinfection Practices: Utilize effective disinfectants, such as freshly formulated bleach or accelerated hydrogen peroxide products, and ensure frequent disinfection of common touchpoints.
Use of Personal Protective Equipment: Both veterinarians and pet owners should use appropriate PPE, including respirator masks, eye protection, gloves, and gowns, when handling affected dogs.
Avoid Group Settings: Temporarily avoid taking your dogs to daycare, boarding facilities, grooming places, and dog parks, especially if they show signs of illness.
Staying Informed: We are diligently monitoring this situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available. The health and well-being of your pets are our top priority. Please reach out to us for any assistance or clarification needed.

We posted an in depth video you can watch with as much information as we know currently about this illness, which likely change.

Click Video to watch in depth description of what we know so far about this illness as well as an FAQ.

Conclusion:

Stay safe and vigilant in these challenging times. Your proactive measures can make a significant difference in safeguarding the health of your furry family members. We will be updating this article as we learn new information.

If you notice these symptoms in your pet and are in Orange County, you can call us at 949-768-1313 to book an appointment.

About The Author

Matthew Wheaton, DVM, Chief of Staff Alicia Pet Care Center| Matthew Wheaton, DVM has been practicing Veterinary Medicine for over 25 years. Vet Med runs in his veins; his father was also a well respected Vet in Orange County for 30 years. Matthew Wheaton graduated from vet school at UC Davis in 1996 and quickly started a career in emergency care before purchasing Alicia Pet Clinic in the summer of 2000. He has turned the hospital into the state-of-the-art, 9 doctor veterinary facility that it is today. He also has 3 pets at home, and 3 human children!

You can read his full bio here.

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• Pet Boarding
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• Laboratory Facilities