Vets are dealing with an unusual spike in Canine Upper Respiratory Disease
The news about the mysterious dog disease has put many dog parents from within our community, including myself, on edge because there is still uncertainty about what caused this outbreak.
Today, I want to share with you what I know about the current situation, what the vets are saying, and what you can do to help boost your dog’s immune system naturally.
Beginning in the summer of 2023, the American and Canadian dog loving and veterinary communities are faced with increasing cases of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) in dogsa situation that caused widespread concern and discussion throughout the country.
According to recent discussions and reports, veterinarians are observing symptoms in dogs that deviate from what you typically see in dogs with kennel cough.
These symptoms include high fever, severe dizziness, persistent cough, tracheal sensitivity, and in some cases, vomiting. Worryingly, some of these cases quickly progress to severe pneumonia, leading to rapid decline in health and, in some cases, deaths.
The geographical spread of this mysterious canine disease is remarkable, with reports coming from different regions, indicating that the issue is widespread. However, there is inconsistency in these reports, with some areas witnessing a significant surge in canine respiratory disease cases while others have yet to notice anything unusual.
What causes mysterious respiratory disease in dogs and how is it treated?
In the veterinary community, there is ongoing speculation about the potential causes of this outbreak.
While some veterinarians ponder the possibility of a resurgence of canine flu or a link to COVID-19, others worry about the emergence of a new, unknown pathogen. The lack of concrete evidence supporting these theories adds to the uncertainty.
Faced with these unusual and serious cases, veterinarians approach treatment with increased caution. The response to treatment, especially antibiotics, varies among cases, suggesting that the root cause of the disease may be viral rather than bacterial.
The good news is that the veterinary community is actively collaborating, sharing observations, and discussing treatment strategies in an effort to better understand and manage these infections. Many are advocating for more thorough testing and reporting, which could speed up the process of finding the best way to help dog parents and their companions in the coming months.
As the issue gets more and more national media attention, veterinarians advise dog parents to remain calm and follow professional guidance as with any other medical treatment of canine respiratory infections.
8 steps to increase your dog’s immunity against respiratory disease
1. Eat a balanced natural diet
Feed your dog a high-quality, balanced diet that is as natural as possible. This may include raw or minimally processed foods. A diet rich in nutrients can support the immune system and help prevent disease.
2. Improve gut health with canine probiotics
Since an important part of the immune system is located in the gastrointestinal tract, supporting a healthy gut is important to help protect your dog against respiratory disease. Check out our other blogs to learn more about the role of probiotics in dog health.
3. Have regular exercise
Maintain regular exercise appropriate to your dog’s breed, age, and health status. Exercise strengthens the entire body and helps reduce stress, which is important for healthy immune function.
Here is a link to an article on safe exercise for dogs.
4. Get enough rest and reduce stress
Make sure your dog has a quiet, comfortable place to rest and gets enough sleep. Reduce stress as much as possible, as chronic stress can weaken the immune system.
5. Keep your dog hydrated
Provide access to clean, fresh filtered water at all times. Chlorinated water can degrade your dog’s gut microbiome and weaken its immune response, so it’s best to avoid it.
6. Avoid excessive vaccinations and unnecessary medications
Follow the vaccination schedule appropriate for your dog’s particular risk exposure and health condition. Excessive, unnecessary vaccination can lead to a decrease in general immunity.
Here is the link to one Safer Vaccination Protocol for puppies and dogs
In general, I do not recommend the kennel cough vaccine because I often see it causing symptoms of upper respiratory tract illness in dogs.
You can read more about kennel cough and our recommendations in the article Kennel cough in dogs – 10 steps for natural treatment and prevention.
7. Boost health and immunity with essential natural supplements
Double your dog’s dose of Omega-3 and probiotics to reduce inflammation and naturally boost the immune system.
Add plant-based calcium and minerals and a fermented multivitamin for dogs to feed your dog’s body the essential nutrients it needs for optimal health.
To create a custom supplement plan for your dog click below:
8. Maintain a healthy environment
Provide a safe and non-toxic living environment. Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals, both indoors and outdoors, as they can compromise your dog’s immune system.
Use a gentle herbal liver detox to cleanse your dog’s body of toxins and heavy metals and boost the immune system.
If you’re concerned about airborne pathogens, consider investing in a HEPA-filter-equipped air purifier.
What else can you do to keep your dog protected?
If you live in an area where the risk of canine respiratory disease is higher, try to avoid contact with sick dogs and avoid places like crowded dog parks. If your dog needs grooming or daycare, a house call grooming service and in house dog sitting is the safest option.
At the same time, don’t let fear and worry rule your interactions with your dog or others. Stress is known to lower the immune system and safe healthy social interactions are an important part of a healthy and disease free life.
Following the steps outlined above, being informed, and using common sense is the best you can do for your canine companion and your peace of mind.
IMPORTANT: If your dog shows symptoms of upper respiratory disease, such as coughing and difficulty breathing, avoid contact with other dogs to prevent the spread of infection, and contact your veterinarian before taking appointment to bring your dog to the clinic.
