Cases of a mysterious canine respiratory disease are on the decline in Colorado, but experts still don’t know the cause – Greeley Tribune

DENVER, CO – JUNE 16: Kefla, a 3-month-old pit bull, awaits veterinary care with her owners Emilia Martinez, left, and Malik Youngblood, right, outside the Convention Center in Denver, Colorado on July 16, 2023. Colorado veterinarians and others attending the AVMA Conference in Denver this week provided free veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness. The event took place at the Welton Street entrance of the Colorado Convention Center. The AVMA and The Street Dog Coalition have partnered to offer pet owners experiencing homelessness free veterinary exams for their animals and complimentary food and essential supplies. Merck Animal Health provided all vaccines for the clinic such as heartworm, flea/tick, bordatella, parvo/distemper and rabies vaccinations, pain medications and antibiotics as well as dog bowls and other supplies were provided to those in need. The event was sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health and Western Veterinary Partners. The animals, mostly dogs and cats, received health checks and basic care, and pet owners were given hygiene kits for themselves and – for their pets – food , a collapsible water/food bowl, treats, toys, leashes and collars. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-led nutrition, provides free pet food for cats and dogs. Western Veterinary Partners, a Street Dog Coalition Legacy Sponsor since 2023, also provided lunch for volunteers and pet owners. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Fewer dogs are getting sick from a mysterious, potentially fatal respiratory disease that has surged among Colorado canines this fall, but researchers are still trying to answer questions about the disease’s origins.

Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Colorado Department of Agriculture reported that the number of respiratory illnesses in dogs doubled this fall, mirroring similar outbreaks in Oregon, California, Florida and New Hampshire.

Although respiratory diseases are common in dogs, this particular strain caused dogs to cough for weeks and resulted in more cases of pneumonia. In some cases, the dogs died from the disease.

In a statement on Monday, Dr. Michael Lappin, an internal medicine specialist and director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at CSU, said it’s not clear why cases have dropped but it may be related to pets spending less time in social situations with others. dogs .

CSU experts are working with clinics in Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs and Grand Junction to research whether the disease cases are connected to one of the 10 viruses or bacteria known to cause canine respiratory disease, said the university in a statement.

Researchers are also trying to determine if viruses or bacteria have changed or if there is another reason for the increase in disease.