Director of Oregon Veterinary Diagnostics Lab: Avoid dog parks, boarding if possible until mystery illness is solved

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Director of Oregon Veterinary Diagnostics Lab: Avoid dog parks, boarding if possible until mystery illness is solved

Myster illness impacting Oregon dogs.

A wave of a mysterious illness affecting dogs has hit the Portland metropolitan area, prompting the director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostics Lab to urge people to keep their pets away from dog parks, boarding facilities, and other areas where dogs congregate.

Dr. Kurt Williams, the director of the lab, stated that the facility has been receiving a growing number of reports of dogs experiencing respiratory problems, including coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. He said the symptoms are similar to those of kennel cough, but the lab has been unable to identify the specific cause.

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“It’s a very concerning situation,” Williams stated. “We’re still working to determine the cause of this illness, but in the meantime, we’re urging people to take precautions to protect their pets.”

Recommendations to protect your pet

Williams recommends the following steps to protect your pet from the mystery illness:

·         Avoid dog parks, boarding facilities, and other areas where dogs congregate.

·         Practice good hygiene, including washing your hands after contact with your pet’s saliva or feces.

·         Keep your pet up to date on vaccinations.

·         Monitor your pet for any signs of respiratory illness, such as coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Oregon health officials investigating

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is also investigating the mystery illness. The department is urging people to report any cases of illness to their veterinarian.

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“We’re working closely with the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostics Lab to investigate this illness,” stated Dr. Ryan Cooper, the state veterinarian for the ODA. “We’re taking this very seriously and we’re committed to finding the cause of this illness and developing a plan to protect Oregon’s dogs.”

What we know so far

The following is what we know so far about the mystery illness affecting dogs in Oregon:

·         The illness is causing respiratory problems in dogs, including coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing.

·         The lab has been unable to identify the specific cause of the illness.

·         The illness appears to be spreading in the Portland metropolitan area.

·         Health officials are urging people to take precautions to protect their pets.

What you can do to help

If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, please contact your veterinarian. You can also help by reporting any cases of illness to the ODA.

ODA contact information

·         Phone: 503-986-4700

·         Email: [email protected]

·         Website: https://www.oregon.gov/ODA

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We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.