Veterinarians are sounding the alarm as they see a growing number of coughing dogs.
Wendy Brown’s three golden retrievers — Bridge, Dooley and Lulu — are among the dogs who started showing symptoms earlier this November.
“Dooley started doing kind of this huffing and also seemed to feel quite lethargic,” Brown recalled to “Good Morning America.” “Not too long after, Bridge began to exhibit the symptoms. But his were louder, more boisterous. I thought it was his stomach because he made like a retching sound.”
Initially, Brown thought her pets had a typical kennel cough but when their symptoms didn’t subside, she knew it was something more serious.
“The vet started him on a 10-day cycle of doxycycline. Today was day 10 and he is not a lot better,” Brown said.
Brown, an Idaho resident, said she’s still not sure what could have caused her dogs’ illness in the first place.
While research is underway, veterinarians say the mystery illness is highly contagious and can be fatal. Reported symptoms so far have also been typical of a kennel cough and they include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge and lethargy.
“Instead of that dry cough where the dog felt good, it was now this wet cough where the dog felt sick,” Amanda Cavanagh, the section head of the urgent care service at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, told “GMA.”
Experts like Cavanagh said any dogs showing signs of consistent coughing should be brought to a vet to be examined.
“We can ultrasound the lungs to see if there is a problem that is related to pneumonia or the contagious pneumonia that seems to be going around,” Cavanagh said.
Cavanagh also recommends keeping any coughing dogs away from other dogs and for two weeks after the cough goes away.
Creating Lasting Memories by the Sea: A Heartfelt Journey with Our Beloved Dog Before She Crosses the Rainbow Bridge
In the face of unimaginable challenges, Noah’s story is a testament to the power of love and compassion. This brave soul, plagued by tumors and critical health conditions, was once a forsaken street dog.
But thanks to the incredible efforts of Laika, a charity based in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, Noah found herself surrounded by love in her final months. When Noah was rescued, she could barely walk due to her overgrown nails and was covered in tumors. The Fundación Laika Protectora de Animales, A.C. rescued her from a life of isolation, neglect, and pain.
Despite her terminal condition, Noah was promised happiness, love, and companionship. She watched the sunset, felt the cool sea breeze, and experienced the kindness of people who cared for her.
Noah’s journey came to an end, but not without leaving a lasting impact on those who knew her. Her courage and resilience inspired all who crossed her path. We bid her farewell with love and gratitude for the valuable lessons she taught us about compassion and the enduring spirit of animals.
Let Noah’s story be a reminder that even in the face of adversity, love can transform lives.
Leave a Reply