Strange respiratory illness strikes US dogs

Dog owners should make sure that their pets are up to date on vaccines, including those that protect against various respiratory illnesses. Photo: 123rf.com

Veterinary laboratories in several US states are investigating an unusual respiratory illness in dogs, and encouraging people to take basic precautions to keep their pets healthy as veterinarians try to pin down what’s making the animals sick.

Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are among the states that have seen cases of the illness, which has caused lasting respiratory disease and pneumonia and does not respond to antibiotics.