A mysterious dog disease spreading rapidly across the United States may be caused by a mutated bacteria, researchers say.
Dogs affected by the unknown respiratory disease develop a chronic cough that lasts for weeks, bloody mucus and, in some cases, potentially fatal pneumonia, according to veterinarians treating the animals.
Now researchers at the University of New Hampshire believe they have identified the bacteria causing the outbreak.
Dr David Needle, a veterinary pathologist who led the research, said it was an “unconventional” organism – which had not yet been named – and had never been seen before.
The photos above, shared by an Illinois vet, show a dog suffering from the mysterious disease. The dog coughed up blood
Above is an x-ray of the same dog treated by vets in Illinois
His team discovered the error by performing forensic tests on 70 dogs that developed the distinct symptoms in the last two years.
Speaking to NBC News, he said it’s “new as a potential cause of the disease, but it’s probably part of the dog’s microbiome or has evolved from it.” [millions of bacteria found inside the animals’ gut].’
He also described the bacterium as smaller than other species and said it had few specific genetic characteristics, making it difficult to detect.
READ MORE: Vets advise dog owners to keep their pets out of parks
Health officials are urging dog owners to stay away from dog parks and avoid shared water bowls.
Veterinarians previously suspected that the disease was spread by virus-infected respiratory droplets that move in the air when dogs sneeze, cough or bark.
There have been no reported cases of the disease spreading to humans.
Further tests will now be carried out to confirm whether this bacterium is behind the disease.
In the study, which has not yet been published in a journal, scientists examined samples from 30 sick dogs from New Hampshire.
They also tested another 40 samples from dogs in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
The results showed that 21 of 30 samples from New Hampshire contained the previously unknown bacteria.
It was also detected in most samples from Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Infected dogs may suffer from a persistent cough for six to eight weeks that does not go away even with antibiotics.
In more severe cases, dogs can develop severe pneumonia, which can also cause difficulty breathing, runny nose, fatigue and loss of appetite.
Vets say when this happens, dogs often become seriously ill within two days.
The mysterious disease first appeared last year and has now been detected in eight states.
Oregon has reported 200 cases of the disease, while infections have also been detected in Colorado, California, Indiana, Idaho, Georgia, Florida and Washington.
Several dog deaths were also reported.
Vets in other states — including New York — fear it’s only a matter of time before the disease shows up in their areas.
The photo above, shared online by a New York state resident, shows a poor dog. The owner believes his dog named Louis contracted the mystery disease after being cared for by a dog sitter for a month while he was with three other dogs.
Dogs affected by the disease cough chronically for weeks and in severe cases develop pneumonia, which can be fatal
To protect pets, dog owners are advised to stay current on vaccinations, including vaccinations for canine influenza, bordetella and parainfluenza.
You are also advised to consult your vet before allowing dogs to come into contact with others around them.
Some veterinarians also advise owners not to travel with their dogs on Thanksgiving to limit the spread of infections.
It also recommended leaving dogs at home and opting for regular visits from dog sitters rather than sending them to kennels.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
