*Special Report*: Separating Fact and Fiction About the Surge in Canine Respiratory Illness

Recently, an emerging concern has gripped the canine community – an increase in respiratory illness has sparked fear and uncertainty among pet owners. The term “canine respiratory illness” has become a buzzword, circulating through social media, news outlets, and pet forums. As we navigate the plethora of information available, it is crucial to distinguish between fact and fiction to make informed decisions about our furry companions’ health.

Recently a panel of distinguished veterinarians and veterinary researchers met to answer questions submitted by the public and share what they know about the increasing rate of respiratory illnesses in the U.S. and Canada. One of the panelists was Colorado’s own Dr. Michael Lappin, PHD, DACVIM, Director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine and Chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association One Health Committee. The webinar was sponsored by Trupanion Pet Insurance. Here is a summary of the questions and answers.

1. Is this surge in respiratory illness, at least in part, affected by increased socialization or potentially reduced vaccination post-COVID? Is it perhaps something not new at all?

When veterinarian researchers think about changes in canine diseases, they think about two things: changes in the population of dogs and changes in the microbe. When we think about what might have changed, COVID-19 threw everything into upheaval.

• People adopted more dogs
• Veterinary care was disrupted and things haven’t gone back to pre-COVID levels (vets are really busy and it’s hard to get in)
• Changes to vaccination (less vaccination)
• Our lives were disrupted so people are doing things differently (more people are working from home and not taking their dogs to daycare as much so more dogs aren’t receiving the kennel cough vaccine)
• Changes in how dogs interact with other dogs (net result is there are more dogs with a lower level of resistance because they’ve been exposed less over the last couple of years and haven’t built immunity)

There have always been canine respiratory diseases circulating but now we’re seeing more disease and more spikes.

2. Is this a new canine respiratory disease?

Usually, strange new symptoms are known illnesses behaving a little bit differently.

The current consensus in veterinary research community is that this outbreak is probably not something new. This is reinforced when you look at the data.

Like most outbreaks, there’s not one cause. It’s a lot of things layered on each other that causes a threshold where we start to notice a difference.

The symptoms being reported, such as coughing, a longer cough than normal progressing into pneumonia, have been seen in canines since time immemorial. There are at least a dozen recognized causes of the syndrome.

3. How many dogs with these acute respiratory symptoms are developing pneumonia?

Colorado veterinary researchers are seeing about a 50% increase in pneumonia cases in dogs with respiratory illnesses this year (August – November 2023) over last year (August – November 2022).

The challenge with these numbers is putting them into context. For example, of you go from a hundred sick dogs to a thousand sick dogs you’re going to increase the number of dogs who develop a serious disease. At this time it’s unknown whether the increase in numbers is just because there are more sick dogs or because there’s something new going on. More research needs to be done on this.

Another consideration is that dogs are especially susceptible to certain diseases, such as streptococcus, which causes severe outbreaks of hemorrhagic pneumonia in dogs. Shelters are particularly vulnerable to streptococcus outbreaks, so even one outbreak of, say, 10 dogs in a shelter environment, could skew the data.

4. What states have seen the largest numbers of canine respiratory illness cases so far?

It’s important to recognize that just because there’s been a great deal of press in an area doesn’t mean there is a correlation in actual numbers.

Right now, in terms of Year Over Year (YOY) Growth in Canine Respiratory Related Claims in the U.S. and Canada (Trupanion, October 2023), here are the data rates:

• Quebec – 70.73%
• Oregon – 61.86%
• Nevada – 43.05%
• Colorado – 36.46%
• Nova Scotia – 32.68%
• Ontario – 26.17%
• California – 8.71%
• British Columbia – 6.20%
• Virginia – 5.41%
• The other states and provinces did not have a significant increase at the time the data was collected

Overall, there has been a gradual increase in canine respiratory illness reported cases since December 2020, although there was a significant drop in February 2021.

The number of cases reported has fluctuated up and down like normal disease data over time.

This data indicates respiratory illness cases being reported are probably being driven more by dog factors than by something new. If this was a new influenza the data would be fairly steady and then, there would be an explosion of new cases. A new virus or bacterium would be highly transmissible and dogs wouldn’t have any immune protection against it. That is not happening.

There are areas with increases and there are a lot of states and provinces where there hasn’t been a perceptible increase. It’s not like a new disease has come in and swept across North America, which you would expect to see if this were something new.

Another factor to consider is that respiratory vaccines wane after 13 to 15 months. Since there are fewer dogs being vaccinated for respiratory infections the effect of their last inoculation probably started wearing off around July or August 2023.

In a typical endemic disease the rate of increase tends to drop after a few months. This is happening in both Oregon and Colorado, further reinforcing the idea the respiratory illnesses being reported are the “regulars” and not a new disease.

Unsurprisingly, there has certainly been increased frequency and severity in flat-faced or brachycephalic breeds. This is because brachycephalic breeds have compressed airway passages so if there is a lot of mucus or inflammatory cell debris and they are unable to clear their breathing passageways.

5. What is the impact of increased media attention?

Media attention tends to sensationalize an issue, causing people to overreact. A certain percentage of reports may be fear-based. Some cases may be low level illnesses that probably would not have been brought to the vet or emergency hospital, but people have heightened sensitivity due to all the media, inflating the numbers.

6. What dogs are at an increased risk for respiratory illnesses and severe disease?

The dogs who are most vulnerable include:

• Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds
• Puppies
• Seniors
• Underlying diseases, especially respiratory diseases
• Compromised immunity

7. Are antibiotics helpful against respiratory illnesses?

Yes, they can be.

Things to keep in mind:

• Antibiotics aren’t helpful against viruses and a lot of respiratory illnesses are viral
• Antibiotics aren’t needed if it’s a mild bacterial infection
• There’s always an adverse event risk with any antibiotic (i.e. resistance, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.)
• Don’t harass your vet for antibiotics. If your vet has decided an antibiotic isn’t warranted, it’s because your vet has assessed the situation and decided an antibiotic will be worse for your dog. You can always bring your dog back in if his or her symptoms worsen.
• If your dog is severely ill or has septic pneumonia (where the infection has gone into the bloodstream), he or she absolutely needs antibiotics
• The first line antibiotics for most canine respiratory bacteria is Doxycycline
• Chloramphenicol should be reserved for severe or septic cases

8. Should you get your dog vaccinated? Are the risks worth the benefit?

Yes, you should get your dog vaccinated and keep up with the boosters. While there’s a lot of buzz about this being a new disease, chances are it’s one of the regular respiratory diseases we vaccinate against, like Bordetella (kennel cough). If your veterinarian agrees your dog should be vaccinated, it is in your dog’s best interest to be vaccinated.

9. What can I do to prevent my dog from getting a respiratory illness?

There are a few precautions to keep in mind:

• Keep your dog up to date on all vaccinations
• Don’t bring your dog around sick dogs
• Don’t bring your dog to dog parks or other dog social places where you don’t know if the other dogs are vaccinated or sick
• Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after handling any animals, including your own

10. Is it safe to walk my dog in places where other dogs have been (i.e. parks, trails, neighborhoods, etc.)?

Exposure for most of these organisms is direct contact with another animal, rather than surfaces being contaminated. It is highly unlikely your dog will get sick from walking on sidewalks or paths where other dogs have walked, especially if he or she is vaccinated.

11. Is it safe to bring your dog to dog care facilities?

The general consensus of the veterinary community is to keep living your life and engaging in activities that are important to you and your dog as long as your dog is healthy and you are taking precautions.

Boarding and daycare are essential for many dogs, especially those owners who work full time, have a busy schedule, or travel often. Dog care programs like Canine Campus provide a structured and engaging environment that helps prevent loneliness and boredom. Dogs, being social animals, benefit greatly from interacting with their canine peers throughout the day, promoting positive behavior and reducing anxiety. In essence, boarding and daycare services are essential for many dogs, offering them a supportive and enriching experience that positively impacts their mental and physical health.

Canine Campus follows strict cleaning and sanitation procedures and will separate a dog who is suspected to be sick from the general population. Owners must bring proof of being current on their vaccinations.

There have not been any reports of dogs who attend Canine Campus having respiratory diseases and we have had no incidences of sick animals being brought to our facility.

If your dog is having any symptoms of acute respiratory illness, please do not board them or bring them to daycare or a grooming appointment. Otherwise, use common sense and don’t let sensational media coverage compromise your or your dog’s enjoyment in life. Love your family; love your dog. As long as you’re taking the right precautions, don’t let the fear of disease stand in the way of you and your dog’s happiness.

12. Where can I get more information and stay up to date on this subject?

Here are few reliable resources:

• Colorado State University Vet Med Bio Science: Canine Respiratory Disease
• Colorado Department of Agriculture: Canine Respiratory Disease
• Worms and Germs Blog by Drs. Scott Weese and Maureen Anderson, Ontario Veterinary College’s Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses: Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (December 21, 2023)

As we navigate the evolving landscape of canine health, separating fact from fiction becomes paramount. Canine respiratory illness, though a cause for concern, is not a monolithic threat but a spectrum of conditions with varying degrees of severity. By staying informed, consulting with veterinarians, and utilizing reliable resources, pet owners can make well-informed decisions that contribute to the overall well-being of their beloved canine companions. Remember, responsible pet ownership includes not only providing love and care but also being a vigilant and educated advocate for your dog.

Source: (2023, November 30). Separating Fact, Fiction and Uncertainty: Canine Respiratory Illness Q&A with Trupanion [Video]. Trupanion. k9illness.trupanion.com