Is there an outbreak of pneumonia in dogs? Here's what you and your pup should know.

Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Experts are warning dog owners to not panic after five dogs in an Oregon animal sanctuary were sent to emergency rooms and one died from an outbreak of pneumonia.

Lee Asher, owner of the Asher House animal sanctuary in Estacada, near Portland, posted a video on social media Aug. 4 asking for help and donations after he said the community and sanctuary were hit with a "rare type of pneumonia."

"Unfortunately, it has reached the sanctuary and we have some bad news to share," Asher wrote on social media. "The vets are unfamiliar with it and all of the ERs have been completely full in our area."

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What to know about potential outbreak of dog pneumonia in Oregon

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association wrote on its website Aug. 10 that it was aware of the suspected outbreak, and testing is underway to determine the cause of illness.

The association said it has been in contact with several veterinarians, veterinary emergency clinics and humane organizations in the Portland Metro area and the Willamette Valley and as of Aug. 7, they had not reported a "widespread increase in severe canine respiratory cases or illness in Oregon at this time."

Veterinary laboratories have not yet definitively identified the pathogen causing the illness, according to the association.

Some veterinary clinics in Oregon have reported cases, some severe, of canine respiratory illness over the last few months, and other states have also reported cases of an illness that appear similar to the symptoms in Oregon.

Outbreaks of canine infectious respiratory disease complex, also known as kennel cough, can happen in dog populations from time to time and are sometimes localized, the association said. Some cases can be serious. Cases occur more commonly in places like shelters, boarding or training facilities over animals living in homes.

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What is dog pneumonia?

Just like humans, dogs can also get pneumonia, which is an inflammation of air sacs in the lungs. It can be diagnosed by physical test from a veterinarian, and may include additional tests including blood work, X-rays and urinalysis.

According to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, pneumonia in dogs can have a few different causes:

  • Viral or bacterial: An infection in the respiratory tract and the most prevalent type of pneumonia in dogs.

  • Breathing in foreign material: Also called aspiration pneumonia, and can be caused if a dog throws up and breathes in some of the vomit, or if they inhale liquid medication while taking it.

  • Fungus: Caused by inhaling spores, which can spread through the body and cause an infection.

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What are the symptoms of pneumonia in dogs?

Here are some of the common symptoms of pneumonia in dogs:

  • Coughing

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Rapid breathing

  • Wheezing or nasal whistling

  • Dehydration

  • Difficulty exercising

  • Fever

  • Runny nose

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weight loss

  • Lethargy

The Carolina Veterinary Specialists recommend to not ignore these symptoms and to contact your vet immediately if you notice your dog displaying any symptoms that could be related to pneumonia.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dog pneumonia 2023: Here's what to know about the virus