Mysterious respiratory illness spreads to North Carolina dogs

CARY, N.C. — A wave of concern is sweeping across North Carolina as reports of a mysterious respiratory illness affecting dogs have surfaced. Truss Vet Veterinary Urgent Care has witnessed a disturbing surge in canine respiratory cases in recent days, with eight dogs treated for respiratory symptoms in just the last 24 hours, outpacing the total number of cases treated the entire previous week.

The culprit behind this enigmatic illness remains a mystery, as its symptoms closely mimic those of other viral infections like influenza. Further complicating matters is the lack of diagnostic tests specifically designed for this particular ailment.

Veterinarians at Truss Vet are carefully monitoring the situation, particularly for signs of pneumonia, a severe complication that can arise from respiratory infections.

Dr. Brad Waffa of Truss Vet urges pet owners to be vigilant for symptoms such as coughing, loss of appetite, decreased energy, and fever. “In light of what we’re observing out west, we’re compelled to treat these cases with heightened scrutiny,” Dr. Brad Waffa, Truss Vet Veterinary, said. “Out of an abundance of caution, we’re now exercising greater prudence.”

The Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital (TVRH) advises pet owners to be on high alert for any unusual behavior or symptoms in their dogs, such as coughing, ocular or nasal discharge, sneezing, loss of appetite, labored breathing, and lethargy.

They further recommend that pet owners minimize public outings with their dogs at this time. This is due to the unknown nature of the illness, raising the possibility of dogs contracting the virus in public settings.