Mystery illness in dogs spreads across U.S., including Georgia

X-posted in Georgia forum.

Mystery illness in dogs spreads across U.S., including Georgia

Before you decide to board your dog as you head out for the holidays, be aware there is a mystery illness affecting canines across the United States, including in Georgia.

The potentially fatal respiratory illness begins as a cough that can last for weeks, Today first reported. If antibiotics don’t help, your pet can develop severe pneumonia and struggle to breathe. Some dogs have died from the disease.
“It seems to happen very, very quickly — to go from this cough that’s just won’t go away ... and then all of a sudden they develop this pneumonia,” Ganzer said.

According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, dogs with the illness have coughing that doesn’t get better, sneezing, runny eyes or nose, lethargy, trouble breathing, and do not test positive for common respiratory illnesses.

Experts say the condition is highly contagious, with canines who visit day cares, dog parks, groomers or boarding kennels most at risk.
Cases that match the symptoms of the mystery disease have been reported in:

Oregon
Colorado
New Hampshire and the surrounding Northeast area
California
Indiana
Illinois
Washington
Idaho
Georgia
Florida

Ganzer recommends keeping your dog away from other dog, which might be difficult during the holidays.