To our valued Acorn pet owners and clients:

With information hurtling across the internet faster than a retriever after a tennis ball, it can sometimes be challenging to separate fact from hype. You may have seen headlines lately about a "mysterious outbreak" of respiratory disease in dogs. However, according to epidemiology expert Dr. J.Scott Weese, Respiratory disease in dogs sweeping across the US? Outbreak of disease or media attention? | Worms & Germs Blog (wormsandgermsblog.com), there isn't likely anything new, mysterious, or overly exciting about the cases being touted in the press of late. 

But as much as we trust experts like Dr. Weese, we at Acorn Veterinary Clinic also know that you worry about and want the best for your pets. So here is a breakdown of what you need to know and what you can do about respiratory disease in dogs. 

Need to know: 

• What is it? Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), like the sniffles and wheezes in humans, is endemic in the canine population. This means it's as widespread among our furry friends as cold/flu season is with people. As with people, respiratory disease, be it a snotty nose or pneumonia, stems from a variety of causes in dogs - from viruses to bacteria.
  
  
• Is there a new superbug outbreak? Probably not. Just like with people, it's not uncommon for there to be "something going around" in various regions at almost any point in time. Because there isn't much in the way of government or organizationally-sponsored testing for dog diseases that don't impact humans, a dog with a cough is more likely to be treated for symptoms than tested for a specific cause of the disease. This means we really don't have a lot of data on what's making Fido hack or if Fluffy has the same bug or something different.
  
  
• What should I do as a pet owner? There are simple precautions you can take to help keep your dogs healthy at any time of the year. 

What to do:

• Vaccinate: Check with our office to make sure your dogs are up to date on all vaccinations recommended for their lifestyle and exposure to others. If you are traveling this holiday season and your pets are going with you or vacationing in their own "resort" (aka boarding facility), please let us know as soon as possible so we can be sure they are vaccinated against common respiratory diseases, like kennel cough.
  
  
• Wellness care: Just like in humans, dogs with other diseases are more likely to become seriously ill from a "cold." An annual examination can help us track your pets' health and get on top of any other conditions.
  
  
• Use common sense: When you hear of a "bug" going around in the area, avoid taking your dog to off-leash parks or other places where they can mingle and spread germs like kindergarteners. If your dog is showing signs of respiratory illness, such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, or nose, avoid taking them to play with others, and give us a call. 
  
  
• Use extra caution in "squashed-face" dogs: We all love those adorable squishy faces, but the reality is that dogs with flatter noses tend to have a harder time breathing at the best of times. For those dogs, it's best to go the extra mile to avoid mingling with others and avoid stress that causes them to over-exert. 
  
  
• If your dog is coughing or sick: Please notify our staff when you schedule an appointment. Please leave your dog in the car and check in at the reception; our support staff will meet you to assess the situation curbside.

For more information: 
Respiratory disease in dogs sweeping across the US? Outbreak of disease or media attention? | Worms & Germs Blog (wormsandgermsblog.com)

A dog owner’s guide to navigating respiratory disease concerns | Worms & Germs Blog (wormsandgermsblog.com)

If you have any questions or concerns about your dog, please don't hesitate to contact us at (530) 753-7580. We appreciate the trust you place in us to provide the best care for your furry friend.

Sincerely, 
Your friends at Acorn Veterinary Clinic