In the U.S., an unknown disease is spreading among dogs, which veterinarians are calling atypical canine respiratory infectious disease (aCRID). The infection manifests as a chronic respiratory disorder, accompanied by fever and acute pneumonia, which in some cases leads to death, reports the scientific portal phys.org.
A new pathogen is causing a disease in dogs that resembles kennel cough but does not respond to traditional treatment methods used in such cases. Infected animals exhibit symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, loss of appetite, and general lethargy, which can persist for several weeks. In some cases, pneumonia develops rapidly, progressing to an acute form within 24–36 hours.
Experts have been unsuccessfully trying to identify the new pathogen causing this disease for several months. Currently, it is known that the disease is not related to common respiratory pathogens in dogs, such as canine parainfluenza virus (CPiV) or Bordetella bacteria. It has also been established that the disease does not respond to antibiotic therapy.
The publication reports that the modes of transmission of the disease remain unknown, although specialists suspect that dogs are infecting each other through respiratory droplets.
American veterinarians and scientists are actively working to determine the causes of this unknown disease and methods to combat it. In particular, researchers from the Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory at the University of Maryland have reached out to veterinary clinics in the state for samples from dogs with aCRID symptoms for analysis aimed at identifying the mysterious pathogen.
As there are currently no specific preventive measures or treatments for the new disease, dog owners have been urged to temporarily limit their pets' contact with other dogs, especially puppies and elderly animals.
