Local vets and dog owners react to 'mysterious' dog illness

A mystery, and potentially deadly, dog illness that affects their respiratory system has reported potential cases in several states.

Right now there are not reports of the illness in Pennsylvania. There were hundreds of potential cases in Oregon, and there are now reports of cases in eastern states such as New Hampshire.

Owner of Forest Hills Veterinary Brady Hamady said information about the sickness is very limited.

"At this point it's a little unclear whether this is a bacterial or a viral illness," Hamady said. "They're leaning more toward bacterial."

He said finding a cure for the disease has been difficult, and the usual method is not working.

"They're having a hard time isolating it and growing it like we normally would in a petri dish and then trying to find medications that are going to be effective against it," Hamady said.

Local dog owners said that is the part that worries them.

"It is a concern that something like that just comes like this where you have no idea what's causing it," Heather Benigno said. "That's the big concern. What's causing it? And you don't know."

According to Hamady the symptoms to look out for are coughing, sneezing, a stuffy nose, discharge from the eyes, fever, and a loss in appetite.

Hamady said, "It's important for us to know the symptoms your dog is displaying and also any sort of travel history or whether or not they go to daycares, boarding facilities, grooming facilities. That's all important information."

Researchers said they do not believe the mysterious illness has an affect on humans.

Veterinarians also warn dog owners to be extra cautious at the park, daycares, or grooming facilities.

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