JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dr. Cameron Jones, a veterinarian in Jacksonville, says in the last five days she's had two dogs quite sick with respiratory problems. "I believe it has reached Northeast Florida," she says, about the so-called "mysterious illness" spreading around the country.
She says, though, both dogs are back home. But she did have to use a stronger course of medicines than she typically uses.
In newscasts across the U.S., reports are causing worry for dog owners, as they hear about the deaths of some dogs in just 24-48 hours from acute illness. That illness doesn't have a name yet. Dr. Jones calls it an "emerging illness," meaning we "haven't yet sequenced it in a lab and know that particular bug is the problem."
Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Russell in St. Augustine says there's so much worry among dog owners that "everyone is blowing up my phone about it." He has not had a case yet, however.
Dr. Jones isn't aware of any dogs' deaths in North Florida, but she says the illness is making dogs sick for twice as long as they normally would be ill from kennel cough. Typically, that would last three weeks, but now veterinarians are seeing pets cough for 6-8 weeks with this "mysterious illness." Dr. Jones says some dogs are even getting serious cases of pneumonia.
Seven key points from Dr. Jones:
- No, this isn't Covid in dogs.
- Yes, dogs can transmit it barking at other dogs. It's a respiratory illness.
- Yes, people can transmit the germs from a sick dog to their own healthy dog.
- No, she says, it's not reason to cancel your vacation because you have to board your dog. But she says make sure the boarder or groomer takes only vaccinated dogs. And ask them their system to verify that.
- Yes, you can look for symptoms in your dog. The most important would be if your dog "suddenly becomes lethargic" and stops eating. Get your dog to a vet, she says, within 24 hours.
- No, a mild cough doesn't mean your dog has this "mysterious illness." But Dr. Jones says a "soft cough," while not urgent, means contacting your vet is a good idea.
- Yes, it's smart, she says, to make sure your dog has a Bordetella vaccination and, she suggests, a canine flu vaccination. Typically, the flu shot for dogs isn't part of the vaccination routine. Dr. Jones says now, though, ask your vet if it's suggested for your dog during the concern about this "mysterious illness."
We also checked with the Jacksonville Humane Society to see if they have any cases there. JHS' Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Stan Hill, the chief medical officer at JHS, said they have not seen the illness yet.
However, "traveling quickly transports disease long distances and could be a concern with upcoming holidays."
Hill also said the disease might not be completely new. "It is more common to see a resurgence of a known disease or variant thereof, to which the current dog population has not been recently exposed and therefore lacking the antibodies necessary for a rapid immune response."
Dr. Jones with Happy's Vet sent First Coast News this copy of their message to pet owners about the illness:
Dear Pet Owners,
We hope this message finds you and your furry family members well. We want to inform you about a recent health concern affecting our beloved canine companions.
There is an emerging respiratory disease spreading among dogs, and we believe it is essential to keep you informed so you can take the best care of your pets.
What We Know:
Symptoms: Dogs affected by this illness may show signs like coughing, serous nasal discharge, pneumonia, loss of appetite, and lethargy.
Spread: The disease appears to spread rapidly among dogs, likely through close contact and possibly through airborne particles.
Response to Treatment: Traditional treatments for kennel cough, such as doxycycline, have not been effective. However, other antibiotics might be showing better results.
reventive Measures: To protect your pet, it is crucial to avoid dog-to-dog contact if your pet is coughing. We also advise being mindful of the potential for humans to transfer the disease to dogs via hands and clothing.
Action Steps for Pet Owners:
1. Be Vigilant: If your dog shows any symptoms like coughing or lethargy, please isolate them from other dogs and contact your veterinarian immediately
.2. Vaccination Check: Ensure your pet’s vaccinations, especially for respiratory diseases (like Bordetella and canine flu), are up to date. This is particularly important now, as one respiratory infection can make dogs more susceptible to others.
3. Boarding and Grooming Caution: With the holiday season approaching, many of us will be boarding or grooming our pets. Please confirm that your boarding or grooming facility checks the vaccination status of all dogs they admit.
Remember: While this situation is concerning but there is no need to panic! Our goal is to keep you informed and your pets safe. By taking these precautionary measures, we can all contribute to the well-being of our canine friends.