December 1, 2023
Dear Goodison Veterinary Families,
As you are likely aware, there is an atypical canine infectious respiratory disease circulating in multiple states across the country. As of today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MSU VDL) confirm that there have been no known cases in Michigan to date.
The cause of this respiratory illness is unknown, but an intensive investigation by numerous agencies is underway.
Exposure to other dogs is a risk factor and signs can include coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, nasal and/or eye discharge, fever, loss of appetite, and/or lethargy. The cough associated with this disease may last for an extended period of time (several weeks or more) and in some patients, illness has progressed to life-threatening pneumonia. Sadly, this has resulted in some fatalities.
Because the cause of this illness is unknown, there is no specific test for it. Index of suspicion for atypical canine infectious respiratory disease is initially based on the patient’s history, vaccine status, and physical exam findings. From there, we may consider testing to rule out known potential causes. If none is identified, we are prepared to work with the MSU VDL to investigate further.
In an effort to keep your canine companion as healthy as possible, we’ve compiled the following recommendations:
- If possible, limit your dog’s exposure to other dogs.
- Monitor your dog carefully for signs of respiratory disease (see above) and contact us promptly if illness develops.
- Make sure your dog is current on vaccines and routine care (even heartworm disease and other parasites can cause respiratory signs so this is important).
- If your dog must be exposed to other dogs or places where other dogs congregate, vaccines should include “lifestyle” vaccines such as bordetella and influenza. Making sure your dog is current on vaccines will help prevent or decrease the severity of known respiratory diseases. In addition, if we know he or she is expected to have some degree of protection against typical respiratory diseases, we will be better able to identify atypical illness sooner rather than later, should it arise.
- Each patient is unique. If you have questions about vaccines, please call to schedule an appointment so we can discuss individual risk factors and help you make an informed decision.
Rest assured that we are monitoring this situation closely and please don’t hesitate to call us at 248-650-5900 with any questions or concerns. We wish you and your furry family members a happy and healthy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Your Goodison Vet Team