Arkadelphia veterinarians on lookout for respiratory disease affecting dogs in U.S.

By LESLIE R. KENT | arkadelphian.com

Pet owners in Clark County should be aware and observant — but not panicked — about a mysterious respiratory illness being reported in dogs in at least 16 states: Canine Respiratory Disease.

This caution is the recommendation of veterinarians at Arkadelphia’s three animal clinics interviewed by arkadelphian.com on Monday.

The number of cases nationwide is not known but the Oregon Department of Agriculture reports receiving more than 200 case reports in that state alone. 

According to Dr. Johnathan Bradshaw at South Arkansas Veterinary Hospital, the Arkansas State Veterinarian’s office, a division of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, notified licensed veterinarians by email last week that no suspected cases had been reported in the state.

One of the early expert sources on the mysterious illness is the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University. Along with Cornell researchers, experts from other university based veterinary research facilities, state animal health agencies and several federal agencies agree on the basic facts known so far.

The knowns and unknowns of CRD

Currently the cause is unknown but early evidence indicates the cases share a viral cause. However, tests for common canine viral respiratory illnesses, such as canine influenza and kennel cough (also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis) do not detect this new condition. 

Experts recommend that dogs showing any of the known symptoms receive veterinary care immediately, especially young and old dogs and those with known immune system deficiencies or other underlying health issues. This recommendation stems from the fact that these issues were present in the cases that progressed rapidly, in just two to three days, and were fatal.

CRD symptoms

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Labored breathing
• Nasal or eye discharge
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite

Unfortunately the mystery illness and its symptoms mimic other common respiratory illnesses seen in dogs such as canine influenza and canine infectious tracheobronchitis.

With no diagnostic tests currently available, the only treatment regime available to veterinarians is close observation while treating with the same medicines used to for the common respiratory issues. 

“The animal not responding in the normal timeframe or declining quickly would be a red flag to me” Dr. Bradshaw said.

What dog owners should be doing about CRD

The first thing that the local vets strongly recommend is having your dogs fully vaccinated, including the canine flu vaccine, which is not required by law but is required by some vets and some boarding services. 

The owner of one local boarding business, Nicole Crowell of Time For Paws, Inc., said she was aware of the new mystery illness and did require the mandated vaccines. She added, “We do not currently require the additional canine flu vaccine but we will follow our vet, Dr. Rucker’s recommendations if cases are found in Arkansas. We do not board sick dogs and should one show any symptoms while it is here we isolate it and it goes directly to our vet.”

Ashley Bradshaw, owner of Nellies Pet Grooming and Boarding, is also monitoring the situation via internet reports and her local veterinarian. 

“These are my babies and I am going to be watching the issue closely so I can keep my clients informed on what precautions they should be taking,” Bradshaw explained in a telephone interview. She agreed that fully vaccinating their pets is the most important action pet owners can take at this time.

Policies and practices at boarding services and dog parks are important because Canine Respiratory Disease is thought to be spread through direct contact with infected dogs. The exact method of transmission is not clear but it is known that the more common respiratory illnesses in dogs are spread through direct dog-to-dog contact and via moisture droplets on food bowls and toys from sneezing and coughing — much like the flu is spread in humans.

Regulations for the new Barkadelphia Dog Park, which opened recently, are still being developed according to the director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Arkadelphia, Stuart Tapson. Asked if the new mysterious disease was on his radar, Tapson replied, “You bet it is. I am a dog owner and pet lover myself and I will be following it closely.” 

It is not clear how or if Canine Respiratory Disease will be considered in the new regulations, but Topson is hopeful that dog park users will be informed and know to avoid close contact with other dogs when in the park, especially if the illness starts showing up in Arkansas.

Dr. Rob Rucker of Providence Veterinary Care said that if cases show up in Arkansas he would definitely recommend his clients isolate their dog from other dogs, know the symptoms and watch their dogs closely for the symptoms. 

“This is an issue for dog owners to be aware of but it is not time for anyone to panic.” Rucker said.

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