Hi Seal Beach,
We’re back this week with some important information to help keep your dogs safe.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard of an alarming respiratory illness affecting dogs According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Veterinary Public Health Program, there has been multiple reports of dogs experiencing a sudden respiratory illness of unknown origin, similar to case reports in other states.
Symptoms include cough, nasal discharge, sneezing and lethargy in dogs.
According to A Department of Public Health:
This respiratory illness is currently known as Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (aCIRD). Cases are currently defined as having a negative canine respiratory PCR test panel, which tests for common viruses and bacteria identified in dogs with similar symptoms, PLUS one of the following clinical scenarios:
• Chronic mild-moderate respiratory infection that lasts more than six weeks that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics;
• Chronic pneumonia that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics; or
• Acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24-36 hours.
Given the lack of knowledge about the cause of this disease, veterinarians and dog owners are advised to be on the lookout for symptoms such as cough, sneezing, nasal discharge, and lethargy (lack of energy) in their dogs.
If a dog is experiencing these symptoms, owners should take the following steps:
1. Contact their pet’s veterinarian so the pet may be evaluated, and, if indicated, the appropriate tests and medications may be provided.
2. Isolate sick dogs at home for a minimum of 28 days past the first day of the onset of illness.
Dogs exposed to the sick dog should quarantine at home and away from other dogs for 14 days to monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness.
3. Clean regularly and disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, keyboards, and animal equipment. To disinfect, use an EPA-registered disinfecting product or a stronger bleach solution.
4. Keep the dog home and away from day care, boarding kennels, grooming facilities, and dog parks.
5. If a dog becomes ill after being boarded or being in a facility, owners should take it to a veterinarian for evaluation and they should also notify the facility about the illness.
Although the City of Seal Beach is not closing our dog parks, we are encouraging visitors to consider keeping their dogs at home until more information is known about this canine respiratory disease.
For more information, please visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/
If you have other questions, please email us at animalcontrol@sealbeachca.gov.
