While there are still some unknowns of the respiratory illness popping up regionally that is affecting dogs, local Small Animal Veterinarian Dr. Rebecca Lundeen, with Lundeen Animal Hospital in Oneida, explains the signs and symptoms to watch for and when to have your pet treated:
“What has people concerned if they are seeing dogs coming in with some of the typical respiratory signs that we see, which would be coughing, sneezing, discharge from the eyes or the nose, maybe some labored breathing, or lethargy; these are dogs that are getting pretty sick a little bit more quickly that what we usually would see and just not responding maybe as well to the usual treatments that we prescribe. Like most respiratory illnesses, the concern is that is can spread easily from dog to dog, either through like direct contact with another pet that might be sick or possibly through the air through like respiratory secretions or on surfaces. If your dog was to become symptomatic in any kind of way, maybe be a bit more proactive about calling your veterinarian to have your pet assessed sooner so that treatment can be started sooner if needed, whether is is antibiotics or supportive care. It is case by case.”
Dr. Lundeen informs researchers are diving into identifying if the illness is a virus, if it bacterial, and if the cases are all related.
For the entire interview with Dr. Lundeen, click here.
