New Disease Could Kill Idaho Dogs This Winter

We all keep pretty hectic schedules going into the holidays. It’s not unusual for our furry family members to spend some time at home alone for a couple of hours, but extended time away may warrant a dog-sitter or kennel.

The doggy daycare scene can be a little stressful for owners who are used to keeping their babies with them. The Bordetella vaccine should be administered to puppies and adult dogs who are expected to be spending time in a kennel or dog park. This vaccine prevents some causes of kennel cough, but not all.

14 States Reporting Mysterious Illness in Canines

A puzzling respiratory disease has reared its ugly head and is showing signs of resistance to standard treatments. Anybody considering taking their dogs to the following states to visit for the holidays may want to reconsider.

• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington

Officials aren’t even sure how this disease is spreading, but since it is respiratory, they’re making an educated guess that it is from close contact while breathing the same air as an animal that has been infected. With this in mind, kennels and dog parks may need to be avoided if owners are concerned.

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This troubling disease has symptoms of inflammation of the trachea and bronchial airways. If pneumonia sets in, there is no response to antibiotics, and can become severe within 24-36 hours. Owners should watch for nasal or eye discharge, difficulty or rapid breathing, wheezing, dehydration, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Anyone suspecting their dog may be infected should contact their veterinarian as complications caused by this illness could be fatal.