BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A “mysterious illness” has been seen appearing in dogs across the country, with reports of multiple instances in Oregon. So far, very little is known about this mystery illness, but CBS2 has been speaking with veterinarians around the area in search of what you can do to help protect your pets.
CBS2 asked the Idaho Humane Society if they received or saw any verified cases of the mysterious virus in dogs, and this was their response:
While we cannot definitively confirm the presence of a mysterious virus in Idaho, we are aware of the potential risks associated with respiratory illnesses in general, which are often transmitted through close contact. These illnesses are always present in our facility to some extent. One such example is kennel cough, a condition that can be triggered by factors like stress or respiratory contact with other pets and, in some cases, can progress to pneumonia.
Identifying specific respiratory pathogens is always a challenge despite testing and is difficult given the absence of a specific test for this mysterious disease. A definitive diagnosis is also difficult due to the limited duration of stay that pets are at our shelter.
We have robust measures in place at our shelter to effectively address conditions like kennel cough and other respiratory viruses through meticulous sterilization procedures and rigorous protocols. However, it’s important to acknowledge that, when accommodating a large number of pets, achieving absolute prevention is an impossible challenge, as the only foolproof solution would be complete isolation. This is no more possible in dogs and cats than it is in humans.
