COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A highly contagious and potentially deadly dog disease is spreading in Colorado Springs, and veterinary hospitals are now issuing a warning to dog owners as the number of cases increases. It’s emitting.
Pine Creek Animal Hospital says it has seen five cases in the last month consistent with symptoms of the new disease, while the local emergency hospital it is in contact with has reported nine cases in the last week alone. he added. Some of those cases have proven fatal.
“There’s no known treatment because we don’t know what we’re facing,” explains Christy Fisher, co-owner of Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital.
Respiratory illnesses in dogs are usually tested and traced back to “kennel cough” or canine influenza, which occurred in Chicago several years ago and later in Colorado Springs. But Fisher says this new disease is different from those typical diagnoses.
“But what stood out, ironically, was that patients with kennel cough usually heal on their own. This patient did not appear to be cured, and even when cured, it recurred, which is unusual. That was it.”
Fisher said that when a dog is infected with the virus, the dog will cough violently and produce a lot of mucus and phlegm.
Fisher now recommends doing your best to keep your dog away from populated areas, especially ahead of the holiday season.
“Do not take your dog to boarding facilities, and avoid dog parks, dog day care centers, grooming facilities, etc.,” Fisher said.
Katherine Lulu, who frequents Bear Creek Dog Park in Colorado Springs with her 4-year-old dog, said she took precautions when she heard about the disease.
“We made an appointment with the vet to get him thoroughly examined and vaccinated,” Lulu explained.
But she says she has no intention of limiting her outdoor time with her best friends.
“I’m not going to live in fear. I’m going to monitor her and if she shows any signs of difficulty breathing or coughing, I’m going to take action,” Lulu said.
Fischer told KRDO13 that treatment options are limited and as more dogs are tested to identify the right way to attack the new virus, all clinics need to collect as much data as possible. He explained that he was collecting.
“We hope this doesn’t last long, but it looks like this situation is here to stay,” Fisher said.
If your dog exhibits excessive mucus or unusual cough symptoms, we recommend seeing your veterinarian or animal care provider.