Veterinary association shares update on unidentified disease affecting dogs

JACKSON, Tenn. — In a follow-up, an unidentified disease has affected canines in the United States.

The Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association is working to figure out the cause of a respiratory illness in canines that is resistant to treatment.

This was first identified in New Hampshire in 2022.

Symptoms include but are not limited to sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, and lethargy.

Canines that have experienced symptoms have been tested for common respiratory pathogens and every test returns negative.

Experts are suggesting that your canines are vaccinated and that you keep down their exposure to other dogs.

“There’s no need to panic at this point. Awareness is responsible and being aware is important,” said Dr. Forrest Reynolds, President of the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association.

Reynolds is suggesting that you treat this disease as the flu, which is mutating every season.

SEE ALSO: New respiratory illness affecting dogs reported in Jackson (11/27/23)