As a new extremely contagious disease spreads across South Florida, Miami-Dade Animal Services is advising dog owners to keep an eye on their pets when out in public.
The disease is known as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC).
As explained by Dr. Maria Serrano, a veterinarian at Animal Service: “Canine infectious respiratory disease complex is like a canine flu or canine cold. It’s multiple viruses that affect the respiratory tract and causes respiratory symptoms. Sneezing, coughing, and hacking.”
Many cases of CIRDC have been documented throughout South Florida, according to Animal Services. They advise dog owners to help protect their pets by keeping them up to date on vaccines and keeping them away from areas where there are several dogs.
“Stay away from places that have dogs conglomerating. So dog parks, groomers, just anywhere where there’s a lot of dogs together. Also, avoid nose to nose contact between dogs,” Serrano said.
Among the main symptoms are continuous coughing and sneezing, and even progressing to something more serious, such as pneumonia or fever.
Local authorities point out that the virus is transmitted by direct contact with an infected dog and by contact with people who have been exposed, and can be carried on clothes, hands and items such as food and water bowls, collars, toys and bedding. However, it is worth noting that this virus is easily defeated by measures such as:
- use disinfectant
- Wash your hands with soap and water
- Wash bowls and toys with soap and water
According to Dr. Serrano, the virus is very contagious and spreads through droplets in the air. She advised dog owners to treat it as if it were COVID, keeping a safe distance from other dogs because it could be deadly.
If your dog begins to exhibit symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately because there is a treatment available. Antibiotics can be prescribed for your dog. Three to ten days is the incubation period. It might linger for two weeks to a month if infected.
The virus has no effect on humans or cats.
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