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People are asking their vets if it is safe to send their dogs to
daycare. They are wondering about the risk of boarding dogs over
the holidays.
“All good questions,” Dr. Drew Sullivan, medical director of
Chicago’s Medical District Veterinary Clinic, said. “We just
don’t have enough data yet to be able to answer some of these
questions.”
So far, there are no reported cases of the new mystery illness
among dogs here in Illinois, Sullivan said.
“We haven’t seen any of it. The Illinois State Veterinary
Medical Association just put out an alert saying that they do
not have reported cases,” Sullivan said.
Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are states that have reported
cases of unusual respiratory illness, which has caused lasting
respiratory disease and pneumonia and does not respond to
antibiotics.
The last time Illinois experienced a bad outbreak of a new form
of canine influenza was in 2015, Sullivan said.
“Is it coming? Maybe. We don’t really know,” he said.
Common cold symptoms that dogs normally experience are coughing,
runny nose, eye discharge, and chest congestion. Before you run
to the vet’s office, give them a call, Sullivan said. Chances
are that the dog is just experiencing one of the common dog
viruses that dogs get in colder months.
“If the dog is eating and drinking and playing, acting pretty
normal but with a dry cough, maybe that dog is better off at
home while the virus runs its course,” Sullivan said.
If, on the other hand, the dog is lethargic and not eating, not
acting like his normal self, pay attention.
“When dogs are actually acting sick, it is more worrisome,”
Sullivan said.
Keep dogs that have symptoms away from other dogs, Sullivan
advised. Respiratory diseases spread very quickly in communal
environments. Immunocompromised dogs and puppies are
particularly at risk of catching viruses.
Other concerns may be about avoiding dog parks or whether pet
owners should worry about leaving their dog at the groomer.
“Just use caution,” Sullivan says.
Dogs need exercise. Dogs need to get outside.
“When the flu is going around and it is the middle of flu
season, people don’t just stay home and not go anywhere,” he
said.
Take the dog out but be thoughtful about it. Go to the dog park
when it is less crowded. Don’t let the dog drink out of the
common water bowl outside of the coffee shop. Check with your
vet to make sure the dog’s vaccinations are up to date.
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