A Vet Expert Shares How to Protect Your Pet from the Mystery Illness Sickening Dogs Across the U.S.

Dr. Amber Karwacki, a veterinarian with Heart + Paw, shares what vets know about the illness and how to help keep your pet safe

Veterinarians are encouraging dog owners to be cautious about a new mystery respiratory illness affecting dogs in the U.S.

Some of the first reports of the "atypical canine infectious respiratory illness," which has symptoms similar to kennel cough and respiratory infections, appeared in Oregon in August,

"In August 2023, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) received reports of an atypical canine infectious respiratory illness being seen in dogs in the Portland Metro and Willamette Valley areas over the summer. To date, ODA has received over 200 reports of atypical canine infectious respiratory disease from Oregon veterinarians," the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association shared in a release about the illness.

Since then, the illness, based on reports from veterinarians, has started spreading east, putting a growing number of U.S. dogs at risk. To gain more clarity about the illness and help pet parents protect their pups, PEOPLE reached out to Dr. Amber Karwacki, a veterinarian with Heart + Paw in Callowhill, Pennsylvania.

Read on to learn Dr. Karwacki's advice on how to help keep dogs safe and what to do if you suspect your canine might be sick.

What are the symptoms of the mystery illness?

According to Dr. Karwacki, veterinarians treating dogs suspected of having this mystery illness are seeing the symptoms of coughing, nasal and eye discharge, sneezing, lethargy, and disinterest in food.

"Similar to kennel cough, we're getting coughing, but instead of a dry hacking like kennel cough, we're seeing a more moist and wet cough," the veterinarian tells PEOPLE of the symptoms.

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How severe is the illness?

Dr. Karwacki tells PEOPLE that "unfortunately, yes," several dogs have died after getting sick with this mystery illness and that vets, including those with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, are seeing three different varieties of the illness.

"We're seeing some dogs that develop something like bronchitis where they're coughing for a couple of months at a time. We're seeing some dogs getting chronic pneumonia, but it's mild, so we can treat it at home. And we're seeing some dogs that are getting this acute severe pneumonia. Those are the ones that tend to be dying within about 48 hours of being diagnosed, despite getting the best care possible," the Heart + Paw veterinarian says.

What makes this issue a mystery illness?

While this unknown illness has symptoms similar to kennel cough, COVID-19, and respiratory infections, tests for these illnesses come back negative when dogs diagnosed with this mystery illness arrive at the vet.

"The doctors dealing with this in Oregon and the western states have run respiratory PCR panels, and they're all coming up negative. Doctors have run COVID tests, and those are also coming up negative. So, the normal viruses and bacteria we see, none of those tests are coming up positive when we get these dogs in. So it's a new strand of something that they're still trying to figure out, and that could take vet labs months to figure out," Dr. Karwacki adds.

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What treatments are available for this mystery illness?

"We are doing antibiotics for them as precautionary; we're sending them home with cough medication to help stop the coughing, and sometimes pain medications to make them feel better," Dr. Karwacki says, adding that dogs with severe cases of the illness "are being hospitalized, put into oxygen tanks, and given IV medications and fluids."

The veterinarian notes that, on the bright side, veterinarians are seeing more success caring for pets sick with this mystery illness thanks to West Coast vets sharing what they have learned from treating cases.

"We have a heads-up of what medications to try first," she says.

How can dog owners protect their pets from this illness?

Dr. Karwacki says the best course of action is to ensure your dog is up to date on their vaccinations.

"And then not panicking, but being cautious. So, when you go to the dog park, bring your own water bottle for your dog. Don't let them use the shared bowls or toys. Be mindful. If your dog comes down with symptoms, get them to your veterinarian and keep them away from other pets," she shares.

How does this illness spread?

How the mystery illness spreads is still unknown, according to Dr. Karwacki. Veterinarians are unsure if the illness spreads through a dog's direct contact with a sick dog or if the illness can be picked up secondhand, like through an item of clothing that has been in contact with a sick dog.

"So we're also telling people, if they're working in a kennel situation, to have a change of clothes for when you go home to your dog. I go into my house, change my clothes, and throw my work clothes in the laundry before I walk upstairs to my dogs," the vet shares.

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