A family is sharing how antibiotics saved their dog’s life as cases of a serious respiratory disease affecting dogs are on the rise across the country.
California resident Becky Oliver told “Good Morning America” that her family’s 5-year-old golden retriever, Ike, suddenly developed an alarmingly high fever while traveling to compete in a dog show in September. Told.
“I didn’t really have any symptoms at first. I was probably just coughing here and there,” she told GMA. She said, “When they took her temperature at an emergency veterinary clinic in Arizona, they said her temperature was 105.3 degrees. Her skin color was not good either.”
To date, an unknown disease affecting dogs like Ike has been reported in multiple states, including Oregon, California, and Colorado.
Research is ongoing, but veterinarians say the mysterious disease is highly contagious and can be fatal in severe cases. Symptoms reported so far are typical of kennel cough and include coughing, sneezing, runny nose and eyes, and fatigue.
Becky Oliver said Ike’s symptoms later developed into pneumonia and he was forced to spend several days at a veterinary hospital.
At one point, Becky Oliver said the family was told by the medical team that it was unlikely Ike would survive the disease.
Read more: Mysterious dog disease continues to spread
She said there was a glimmer of hope when she learned about an antibiotic called chloramphenicol that could be a potential treatment for an unknown disease.
“At first, the veterinarian was like, ‘Oh, no, it’s a very strong antibiotic, it’s like an antibiotic of last resort,'” she recalled. “Then the internal medicine veterinarian came in and said, ‘No, let’s try it.'”
Becky Oliver said Ike was taken off oxygen 12 hours after receiving his first dose and was able to go home later that week.
Becky Oliver’s husband, John Oliver, told “GMA” that the family’s dog is now back to normal.
“He’s looking really good…jumping around,” John Oliver said. “I still can’t believe he’s still here.”
Dr. Lindsey Ganser is a veterinarian. North Springs Veterinary Referral Centerdescribed chloramphenicol as an “incredibly powerful antibiotic.”
Dr. Ganser, who did not treat Ike, acknowledged that the drug is most often used as a “last resort” option.
“That antibiotic is typically used as a last resort,” Ganser told “GMA.” “It’s like if an owner were to feed it to their dog, the owner would have to handle it with gloves because people can’t actually touch it.”
More: Veterinarian shares symptoms of mysterious respiratory disease in dogs and answers viewer questions
Ganser said he recommends that dog owners avoid boarding or bringing their dogs into environments with other dogs, at least temporarily.
”[The] The most important thing is to avoid areas where there are a lot of dogs. Therefore, please avoid riding. Avoid going to dog daycare, groomers, and dog parks,” Ganser said.
Ganser added that if owners see their pets exhibiting symptoms of a mysterious disease, they should isolate the dog and seek medical attention.
“We don’t know how it spreads, whether it’s through direct contact or through the air,” Ganser said. “If your dog shows symptoms, be sure to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.” “The sooner treatment is started, the better the chances of it not progressing to pneumonia.”