American experts from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have discovered a previously unknown bacterium that may be the cause of an outbreak of respiratory disease affecting dogs in at least 12 US states. The results of the research were officially published Web site scientific institution.
Genetic sequencing of samples from 70 infected pets revealed a new microorganism that is smaller than ordinary bacteria in both physical size and genome size.
Veterinarians from UNH explained that the disease affecting dogs begins with coughing, runny nose and sneezing, which can quickly progress to pneumonia and lead to the death of a four-legged pet within 24 hours. The disease may be confused with kennel cough (dog flu), but does not respond to conventional treatment.
All dog breeds are vulnerable to the new disease, but the disease has not been transmitted to humans, the researchers added. Scientists tried to grow new bacteria in the laboratory to find out which antibiotic would work best against the pathogen, but their efforts were unsuccessful. However, veterinarians suggest that based on the structure of the microbe, the drug doxycycline should deal with it.
Experts have warned that there is no specific preventive measure or treatment for the new disease and that the likely time frame for its development will be a long time. For this reason, dog owners are advised to limit contact between their pets and relatives and not to leave them in kennels where many dogs will be indoors.
American veterinarians before was recorded An epidemic of an unknown respiratory disease among dogs that is rapidly spreading in the United States.