LOS ANGELES, December 4, 2023 – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently issued a release about dogs becoming ill with a respiratory illness known as Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (aCIRD) after visits to group settings for dogs, or boarding and daycare facilities. Since Nov. 16, at least 10 cases have been detected in Oregon, Colorado, and California. 

Given the lack of knowledge about the cause of this disease, dog owners are advised to be on the lookout for symptoms such as cough, sneezing, nasal discharge, and lethargy (lack of energy) in their dogs.

If a dog is experiencing these symptoms, owners should take the following steps:

1. Contact their pet’s veterinarian so the pet may be evaluated, and, if indicated, the appropriate tests and medications may be provided.
2. Isolate sick dogs at home for a minimum of 28 days past the first day of the onset of illness. Dogs exposed to the sick dog should quarantine at home and away from other dogs for 14 days to monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness.
3. Clean regularly and disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, keyboards, and animal equipment. To disinfect, use an EPA-registered disinfecting product or a stronger bleach solution.
4. Keep the dog home and away from day care, boarding kennels, grooming facilities, and dog parks.
5. If a dog becomes ill after being boarded or being in a facility, owners should take it to a veterinarian for evaluation and they should also notify the facility about the illness.

For more information, visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/