Recently, veterinarians and pet parents alike have been confronted with the outbreak of a mysterious respiratory disease of unknown cause. There are still plenty of unanswered questions about it… But here’s what we know about this canine respiratory disease which affects dogs – and how Maven can help.
Where has the disease been reported so far?
The reports of this enigmatic canine respiratory disease have only surfaced in a few US states for now. Mainly in the states of Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, to be precise.
What are the disease’s symptoms?
The main symptoms of this mysterious canine respiratory disease are:
- Coughing
- Labored breathing
- Sneezing
- Nose or eye discharge
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
The disease is characterized by a chronic mild to moderate inflammation of the trachea and chronic pneumonia, both minimally or not at all responsive to antibiotics.
Dogs can also suffer from an acute pneumonia that can rapidly evolve, possibly leading to poor outcomes in 24-36 hours.
How can we protect our canine friends from contracting it?
The exact cause of the disease remains elusive. In the meantime, veterinarians are advising pet parents to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection. A big one is steering clear of situations involving contact with a lot of different dogs.
Boarding kennels, dog parks and doggy day care facilities should be avoided. Especially if you’re uncertain about the health status of other dogs in those environments!
You should also try to avoid the sharing of dog bowls, toys, or doggy chews among dogs. Additionally, make sure your dog is up-to-date on its routine yearly vaccinations. They’ll help keep the immune system in its strong state.
What should you do if your dog starts to exhibit symptoms?
If a dog begins exhibiting signs of respiratory distress, such as the ones mentioned above, it’s crucial to act promptly and seek veterinary attention. Immediate consultation with a veterinarian can help determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and facilitate early intervention.
Providing your veterinarian with a detailed history of the symptoms, including when they started and any potential changes in behavior or environment, can aid in the diagnostic process. In the meantime, isolating the dog(s) from other animals is essential to prevent potential transmission of the disease.
Researchers are currently working to unravel the mysteries surrounding this emerging dog respiratory illness. The lack of a clear understanding of the disease’s etiology poses a significant challenge in diagnosing the affected dogs – but we’re here to help.
How can Maven help?
Maven monitors both your dog’s daily activity and respiratory rate, two possible indicators that can lead to early detection of respiratory diseases. A sudden or sustained respiratory rate increase, coupled with a decline in daily activity, will be flagged and brought to your vet’s attention. Any additional information reported by the pet parent via the app will also be analyzed by the AI-Vet™, and can help your vet detect underlying health issues earlier.
Essentially, if the AI-Vet™ detects any abnormal patterns/events, it will alert your vet so they can look into what’s happening. With symptoms such as coughing, labored breathing and lethargy characterizing this canine respiratory disease, tracking these parameters can make a real difference.
An earlier search for medical attention and diagnosis can lead to a better outcome, avoiding possible complications. Early intervention is crucial in managing respiratory diseases… And Maven’s AI-Vet™’s proactive approach helps ensure the well-being of our furry friends.
Regularly tracking a dog’s respiratory rate can also play a pivotal role in monitoring the development of other respiratory diseases. By maintaining a consistent record of it over time, patterns are set and deviations from the norm become identifiable. This enables timely medical attention and a more effective management of the disease.
Tracking a dog’s respiratory rate becomes especially crucial in cases where the cause of the respiratory problem is unknown. It provides a measurable parameter that can aid in assessing the progression or regression of the condition.
Conclusion
The emergence of this canine respiratory disease with an unknown cause raises concerns for both pet parents and the veterinary community, especially in the wake of Covid.
The condition is still being studied, so there’s much we still don’t know about it. At this point, the best thing to do is to take effective preventative measures to ensure your dog stays safe.
The current lack of knowledge on this new disease has created a pressing need for early detection strategies – and that’s where Maven comes in. By tracking daily activity and respiratory rate, Maven offers a unique tool for early detection, enabling timely intervention and improved disease management.
It provides a comprehensive approach to monitoring your dog’s health – and with AI-Vet™ and your vet by your pet’s side, any issue can be tackled!
Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology. AI-Vet™, the company’s innovative pet care platform, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data and alerting veterinarians of any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers them to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.
