A woman who believes her dog died from the new ‘mystery’ canine virus spreading across the US is warning other pet parents about how to keep their dogs safe.
Trang Huyen believes her shih tzu Chowder died from the unknown condition that has infected hundreds of dogs across the country and is urging other owners to avoid crowded dog parks now.
Since August, more than 200 dogs have tested positive and several have died from the disease, which initially looks like common viral kennel cough but can become serious and lead to death. Cases have been documented and possible cases reported in Colorado, California, Indiana. , Washington and Georgia.
Chowder became ill in October and his symptoms seemed minor until he started having trouble breathing. He died just a few days later.
Now Ms. Huyen says dog owners should “take safety measures, such as limiting time in dog parks and areas with other dogs.”
Chowder became ill in October and his symptoms seemed minor until he began having difficulty breathing and died days later
Ms Huyen, from Pensacola, Florida, said: ‘It started with a small, dry cough and then I became more lethargic every day.’
According to Ms Huyen, who did not want to reveal her age, Chowder’s first symptoms were consistent with the new disease. The dog was lethargic, refused to eat and was coughing.
Chowder’s tongue also turned blue as his symptoms worsened.
Mrs Huyen, from Pensacola, Florida, said: ‘It started with a small, dry cough and then I became more lethargic every day.
‘That didn’t happen (seems serious). Chowder is said to have seasonal allergies, so I thought nothing of it.
‘Things started to change when his breathing became much labored and he no longer wanted to eat or drink.’
The new mystery illness was described by the Oregon Department of Agriculture as an “atypical infectious respiratory disease of dogs.”
Reported symptoms of the disease include coughing that can last for weeks, watery eyes and sneezing.
The disease can progress and lead to pneumonia, which can lead to death within 36 hours.
Although the disease remained a mystery for the first few weeks after its appearance, researchers at the University of New Hampshire believe they have identified the bacteria that causes the disease.
Dr. David Needle, a veterinary pathologist who led the research, said it was a ‘funky’ organism – which has not yet been named – and had not been seen before.
His team discovered the bacteria by conducting forensic tests on 70 dogs that had developed the tell-tale symptoms over the past two years.
Speak with NBC Newshe said this was “new as a potential cause of disease, but it is likely – or evolved from – part of the dog microbiome (millions of bacteria found in the intestines of animals).”
He also described the bacterium as smaller than other species and said it had few specific genetic characteristics, making it harder to detect.
The disease is spread through airborne droplets when dogs sneeze, cough or bark. There have been no reported cases of the disease spreading to humans.
Ms Huyen, a beauty salon owner, believes Chowder’s case was too early for vets to make a proper diagnosis, but that the symptoms are consistent with the new disease.
Vets diagnosed him with pneumonia but disagreed on the causes, with one suggesting allergies and another aspiration.
Mrs Huyen explains: ‘We went to the vet in the emergency room and visited several vets. At the time of my visit, no veterinarian was aware of the mysterious canine disease.
‘I realized that many others were experiencing the same thing with their pets.
“They all had the same symptoms: coughing and severe breathing problems.”
Ms. Huyen spent about $4,000 on treatments, including X-rays, medications and oxygen chamber therapy.
Unfortunately, the treatments had no effect and Chowder died just days after his symptoms began to appear.
Ms Huyen, who has had Chowder for more than a decade, said: ‘Chowder meant the world to me. He was an important part of my family. He followed me everywhere.
“Over the past ten years, he has been my constant companion, my source of comfort during the darkest of times and the one who brought boundless joy into my life.”
Vets are issuing a similar warning to Ms Huyen, urging dog owners to avoid crowded dog parks and communal water bowls. Dogs should also be kept away from daycare centers, grooming salons and boarding houses – anywhere where large groups of dogs frequent.
Dogs should also be kept up to date on their vaccinations and sick animals should be kept at home. If your pet shows symptoms, veterinary help should be sought immediately.
The disease has been shown to be resistant to common respiratory treatments, such as antimicrobial drugs. Although several dogs are believed to have died from the virus, experts say deaths do not appear to be a major consequence.
However, without a clear way to define or test for the disease, it is difficult to determine how many dogs actually have the virus and how many have died from a severe form of the infection.