Veterinarians in Georgia are concerned about an increase in a mysterious respiratory illness affecting dogs.
The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) has described this illness as an unidentified respiratory disease and is investigating its cause and treatment options.
Veterinarians have noted the difficulty in diagnosis due to the unknown nature of the illness. Her clinic has treated about 15 dogs with symptoms over the last two months, which include a persistent cough similar to whooping cough and low energy levels.
The lack of a clear diagnosis complicates tracking the illness’s spread, and it has shown resistance to standard antibiotic treatments, requiring multiple medication rounds. The outbreak seems to be linked to increased dog interactions at boarding and daycare facilities.
As the illness is likely airborne, complete avoidance is hard. To protect their pets, veterinarians advise dog owners to keep vaccinations up-to-date and discuss risk factors with their veterinarian, as well as reduce exposure to busy dog areas.
Most healthy dogs are expected to recover without issues, but extra care is needed for older dogs or those with existing heart or respiratory problems. Health officials urge dog owners to contact veterinarians if their pets show any signs of respiratory problems.
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