Researchers Think “Mutant” Bacteria Might be Responsible for Mysterious Respiratory Illness Affecting Dogs
The New Hampshire scientists theorize that the pathogen evolved from the dog microbiome.
A mysterious respiratory illness sickening dogs is reportedly spreading across the country. Veterinarians are scrambling to determine its causes and the best treatment methods.
The symptoms are similar to kennel cough, an upper respiratory infection, but can last much longer and, in some cases, prove fatal, according to veterinarians.
The infected dogs develop a cough, fever, lethargy and intermittent loss of appetite. While infected, some dogs will develop pneumonia. Veterinarians have reported seeing blue and purple gums in those cases.
Dogs with kennel cough may show some of these symptoms, such as coughing, lack of appetite, fever and lethargy. If it’s kennel cough, the symptoms usually clear up in one to three weeks. With the latest respiratory illness, however, veterinarians are reporting that dogs can have symptoms for six weeks or more.
The illness has been found in at least seven states: Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maryland and Wyoming.
Now, researchers at the University of New Hampshire have revealed that they have identified the bacteria causing this canine disease.
Dr David Needle, a veterinary pathologist who led the research, said it was a ‘funky’ organism — that is as yet unnamed — and had not been observed before.
His team found the bug by performing forensic tests on 70 dogs who’d developed the tell-tale symptoms over the last two years.
Speaking to NBC News, he said this was ‘new as a potential cause of disease, but it is likely to be — or to have evolved from — a component of the dog microbiome [millions of bacteria found inside the animals’ gut].’
He also described the bacteria as being smaller than other types and said it had few specific genetic characteristics – making it harder to detect.
The research will soon be published. The New Hampshire scientists theorize that pathogens evolved from the dog microbiome (the microscopic organisms within a dog’s digestive system).
The germ “is new as a potential cause of disease, but it is likely to be— or to have evolved from — a component of the dog microbiome,” he said. Dogs as well as humans have multiple types of harmless bacteria and other microorganisms living both inside and outside the body. In the gut, they are thought to aid in digestion.
The bacterium was discovered after a painstaking search.
“After initial sequencing showed there were no known viral, bacterial or fungal pathogens, time consuming and dogged work by graduate student Lawrence Gordon showed that 21 of the initial 30 samples from New Hampshire had some genetic material from one atypical bacterial species,” Needle said.
While veterinary science continues to look for treatment options, dog owners are advised to follow common sense guidelines applicable to other canine respiratory illnesses.
Dog owners should help keep their pets healthy by making sure they’re up-to-date on all vaccines, such as those for canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza, the association said. Other tips include:
• Reducing contact with large numbers of unknown dogs. Just like with other respiratory pathogens, the more contacts your dog has, the greater the risk of encountering a dog that’s infectious.
• Reducing contact with sick dogs. This can be harder to determine but if a dog looks sick (coughing, runny nose, runny eyes), keep your dog away from it.
• Keep sick dogs at home and seek veterinary care.
• Avoid communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs.
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Comments
Typo – Shouldn’t it be muttant bacteria?
LOL – I see what you did there.
One owner claims to have reversed the disease with an antibiotic of last resort: Chloramphenicol. A medicine normally used to treat eye infections. While still anecdotal, of course, their vet says it appears to have done the trick.
BTW….half a dozen other antibiotics as well as a spectrum of symptomatic treatments were first tried with zero results.
“The illness has been found in at least seven states: Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maryland and Wyoming.”
Hm.
Except for the outlier (Wyoming), what do all these states have in common?
Recently a family member had to put down her dog and totally disinfect belongings, their yard and to the extent replace furniture as the dog had a been diagnosed with Leptospirosis not tested for at the SPCA facility where they had gotten the dog a few weeks before the illness showed. They found that there was a vaccination that all dogs should have received at the kennel. The worse part was that this is contagious to people.
When Leptospirosis does cause disease in dogs, it tends to be most severe in unvaccinated dogs that are younger than 6 months of age. It takes about 4-12 days after exposure for a dog to start to feel ill.
Signs of illness vary, but usually include lethargy, poor appetite, fever, vomiting, increased thirst or urine production. Jaundice may also be seen. Blood tests will show changes in kidney values or liver and kidney values.
Diagnosis is made through blood and urine tests that look specifically for Leptospirosis. Antibiotics are typically used to treat Leptospirosis; not only can they treat the active infection, but also may prevent dogs from becoming carriers of the organism.
Humans should seek out medical advice and treatment immediately to be tested and treated if needed..
Leptospirosis is typically carried by rats and possibly other rodents. If your dog has been around them or where they have been, make sure neither you or the dog has been exposed.