INDIANAPOLIS — As the holiday season approaches, more pet owners will be boarding their pets. An unusual respiratory illness in dogs has some pet owners thinking twice.
Indiana is among the list of states that are trying to track the illness.
Experts said pet owners need to be cautious, not fearful. It is important to be aware of the illness and look out for signs, which include coughing, sneezing and drainage from the nose.
Those symptoms are similar to what is known as “kennel cough,” but the medications prescribed by veterinarians are not giving dogs the relief they need, according to Dr. Melissa Justice of the State Board of Animal Health.
Many experts think believe it is a viral illness.
The State Board of Animal Health said it's difficult to track just how many dogs have contracted the illness. The organization is working with vets across the state to come up with treatment plans that will give those dogs some relief, as they try to learn more about the illness.
"It's probably not bacterial, because bacteria is really easy to isolate from a patient and identify it," said Dr. Anthony Buzzetti, a veterinarian at Priority Boarding and Daycare.
Buzzeti said viruses are much more difficult to identify, which is why he believes unknown respiratory illness could be viral.
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It is spread by nose-to-nose contact. If you are taking your pet around other animals, there is the potential for exposure.
"We don't have a full-blown epidemic at this point,” Buzzetti said. "Typically, in the veterinary field there is some strong pathology going on. I'm sure they'll figure out what this is."
Vets said it's important to keep your pets up to date on vaccines which could prevent your dog from getting sick and slow the spread.