Mystery Dog Illness Spreading Across the U.S. Has Veterinarians Concerned
If your dog is showing signs of kennel cough, including coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge and lethargy, there is reason to be alarmed.
Veterinarians across the US have been treating dogs showing these symptoms and they say any dogs showing signs of consistent coughing should be brought to a vet to be examined.
Good Morning America reports, "While research is underway, veterinarians say the mystery illness is highly contagious and can be fatal."
While kennel cough clears up after 7 to 10 days, this new illness lasts weeks and sometimes leads to acute, or even fatal, cases of pneumonia.
Related: Mystery Illness That's Leading to Dog Deaths in Michigan Is Truly Terrifying
So what should dog owners do to protect their beloved fur babies? Vets are recommending that dog owners keep their pets away from social setting like dog parks and boarding facilities until more is known, which will be difficult for a lot of pet owners this holiday season.
Facebook users are rightfully worried about this. @Elizabeth comments, "Just an fyi - my dog starting coughing a couple months back and it turned out to be heart failure - the coughing was caused by fluid buildup in her lungs!" @Pauline adds, "This happened to my mom’s dog. It lasted a couple of months. Wish I knew what it was."
If your pup starts coughing and you’re not sure what’s causing it, take them to get checked out! Better safe than sorry, especially when it comes to our beloved dogs!
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