Mysterious Respiratory Illness in Dogs in Los Angeles
November 2023
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Veterinary Public Health Program is investigating cases of Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease in dogs in the Los Angeles County area, now called “Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex”. Over the past couple of weeks, Los Angeles County has seen 10 reported cases, according to the Department of Public Health.
Infected dogs show symptoms, including cough, nasal discharge, sneezing, and lethargy. The department is in case-finding mode to determine the extent of the respiratory illness. Dog owners are urged to contact veterinarians if their pets show symptoms, isolate sick dogs for at least 28 days, and clean and disinfect surfaces. The illness has been reported in other states, including Oregon, Colorado, and New Hampshire. Authorities are actively monitoring and investigating the situation.
As a preventive measure against the potential threat of an unidentified respiratory illness, it is advisable to do the following:
- Get vaccinations for respiratory diseases, including Bordetella bacteria and influenza (H3N2 and H3N8) virus for your dogs.
- Avoid places where your pet could have close interaction with other dogs, such as doggy daycare and dog parks.
- Keep them away from dogs that have had any respiratory illnesses.
- But if your dog experiences breathing issues, contact your vet and isolate sick dogs immediately.
***Call us if you need more information on your dogs’ vaccine due dates or to schedule a vaccine appointment.***
