If you haven’t heard yet, there’s a mysterious illness in dogs going around the US and it starts with a cough. It’s a scary time to be a doggie parent with all of the uncertainty but this TikTok user @dr.adamchristman52 who also happens to be a Veterinarian recently gave his perspective on the disease:

@dr.adamchristman52 Answering Your Most Common Questions on The Mysterious Canine Respiratory Disease 11.24.23. #doghealth #vettok #dogparentsoftiktok #dogsoftiktok #caninerespiratorydesease #vetmed #dogtok #dachshundfamily ♬ Aesthetic – Gaspar

“You know that mysterious canine respiratory disease that’s going around? Well, Capone and I are going to answer some of your most common questions that you’ve been asking me. My name is Doctor Adam Chrisman and I’m a veterinarian. Here’s what we know as of November 24th, 2023, which U.S. states that we know of have this respiratory disease for our dog.

Here’s a list of the states that we know of where this respiratory disease is found (California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, New Hampshire, Rhode Island). However, we’re expecting it to be widespread because of the holidays that are here and because it’s respiratory season in the United States.

What precaution should I take with my dog? OK, this is a big one. At least for now. I would avoid dog to dog contact, so this means doggy daycare, boarding facilities and grooming facilities. Definitely look to see if you can have a friend or someone that could do pet sitting at your house mobile grooming.

You can definitely walk your dog, you just want to avoid that nose to nose contact as best as you can. Consider it their version of socially distancing themselves. I said this in the other video and I mean it. Control the controllable. Get them vaccinated against canine influenza and bordetella. And another thing that I didn’t mention that I want to tell you now.

Make sure they’re up to date on everything, including things like flea and tick and heartworm prevention dogs that can have a comorbidity. In other words, a dog that may have cancer or is going through Lyme disease or heartworm disease treatments. Those dogs can get much sicker with this respiratory disease because they have another illness going on. Make sure they’re up to date on everything you can control.

Question three is, should I be bringing my dog to the veterinarian? So it’s a two parter, yes and yes. Yes, if you suspect your dog having any respiratory signs, runny nose or just not themselves. So that’s part one. And then Part 2 to this, if you’re concerned that they’re going to get sick from something in the hospital, then you can ask your veterinarian maybe about curbside. We’re very good at that. These clinics and hospitals have good ventilation systems and they’re prepared for these types of situation. Before if my dog gets it or shows signs of it, what do I do? Definitely isolate the dog from any other dogs in the population and the house”

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