As a responsible pet owner, it’s your duty to stay informed on the latest health threats and ways to protect your pet. With the recent rise in a mystery illness known as canine respiratory illness, being vigilant and adopting prevention strategies has never been more important. To help you and your pet live a happy, healthy life together, we’re here to help you understand and identify the signs of canine respiratory illness.
Understanding The Condition
The cause of this illness is still under investigation. However, it is believed to derive from a pathogen or organism that brings disease to a host. The symptoms of this condition closely mirror those of kennel cough or bronchitis, but unlike other respiratory illnesses, it cannot be combated with traditional treatments. While some dogs may recover fully on their own, the key to protecting your pet lies in early detection and prompt veterinary intervention. As such, it’s essential to learn about the symptoms and risk factors of canine respiratory illness.
Who Is Susceptible to Canine Respiratory Illness?
Canine respiratory illness is, unfortunately, a universal concern amongst dog owners. This condition does not discriminate and is not solely reserved for one breed or demographic. While it is believed that flat-faced breeds, such as bulldogs, senior dogs, and dogs with underlying medical conditions are more prone to developing this disease, there have been several reported cases of infected young, fully-vaccinated dogs with an otherwise clean bill of health across varying breeds.
Exploring The Symptoms
Canine respiratory illness comes with a number of symptoms similar to those of kennel cough or other respiratory infections. In the early stages, it may appear like a typical flu, with nasal or eye discharge, sneezing, and coughing. However, this condition progresses at alarming rates, leading to more severe symptoms in a matter of days, such as fever, lethargy, weight loss, dehydration, and in worst-case scenarios it can lead to pneumonia, putting your dog’s life at risk without immediate veterinary care.
To protect your pet, be sure to keep them away from high-risk areas, such as dog parks, doggy daycare, boarding programs, and schedule a visit with your local veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure your pet is current on all their vaccinations.