Veterinarians issue warning about mystery dog illness during holiday season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There’s a respiratory illness going around that has veterinarians across the country on high alert. It's a mysterious illness that is leaving dogs struggling to breathe.  

Dr. Peter Rowan with New Hope Veterinary Hospital said there are a lot of questions surrounding a new respiratory canine illness. It's part of what they call the canine infectious respiratory disease complex. 

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Rowan listed the symptoms of the complex. 

“It looks like it's starting with a cough, fever, lethargy, a runny nose, those sorts of common cold symptoms, but then progresses from there, potentially," Rowan told WCNC Charlotte.

A potentially fatal condition has been reported in a number of states.

“In terms of our hospital systems, the total bond network, we really haven't seen too many of these 'kennel cough' cases as of late, but that doesn't mean that they're not to come," Rowan said. "Especially as temperatures get colder."  

Although they have yet to see a case, local vets are still concerned. 

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“It is definitely a concern, to say the least," Rowan said. "And as we enter into the holiday seasons, that can definitely raise a factor as well, too."

Dr. Clay Helner with Pet Paradise is urging pet families to stay up to date with vaccinations as more boarding companies require them.

“At Pet Paradise, we certainly make certain that every single one of the guests that stay with us is properly immunized and we verify that at check-in," Helner said.

Veterinarians are noticing the rising demand for vaccines.

“This is a vaccine that is in high demand at the moment. It can take up to a month for us to get this in," Rowan said. "It’s been on backorder because a lot of dogs have been getting vaccinated for it."

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So how do pet parents protect their dog? 

Although symptoms are similar to a standard cold or flu for a canine, Dr. Rowan reminds pet parents to act sooner rather than later. 

“[Stay] up to date on vaccinations, such as Bordetella, which is one of the most common causes of kennel cough, as well as the influenza virus vaccination as well," Rowan said.

 Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.