“I would say [there’s been] maybe a 50% increase in the number of coughing dogs we detect,” Dr. Amanda Cavanagh of Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital told Scripps News Denver. Cavanagh stated that the virus appeared to be spreading similar to kennel cough.
"There was just far more coughing dogs coming into the emergency room than in years past," said Amanda Cavanagh, the section head at Small Animal Emergency Service at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. While research is still underway, vets are saying the illness is highly contagious, and in some cases, fatal. Most reported symptoms are similar to those of a typical kennel cough, including coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge and lethargy.
VIDEO: "Instead of that dry cough where the dog felt good, it was now this wet cough where the dog felt sick," Dr. Amanda Cavanagh, the section head of the urgent care service at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, told "GMA."
VIDEO: "I would say [there's been] maybe a 50 percent increase in the number of coughing dogs we detect," said Dr. Amanda Cavanagh. "We determine these are contagious dogs. They've had exposure, and they could pass it on to other dogs." She said the virus seems to be spreading at social places for pups, like dog parks and doggy day cares.
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and administrators demonstrated the university's leadership in advancing trauma patient care at the recent Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT) Veterinary Trauma & Critical Care Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"The CSU Veterinary Hospital is a teaching hospital. I cannot say enough about the staff and the students there. First and foremost, they know their stuff. Secondly, they were excellent at communicating with us and making sure we understood what was going on with Charlie and what exactly to expect. Thirdly and most importantly, they are caring and compassionate!" -Larry Lagarto, client
The Arterial Blood Gas at Altitude Study at the Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital is looking for healthy dogs, especially brachycephalic (short-muzzled, flat-faced) breeds — English bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs — to participate in this research that will show veterinarians if dogs breathe differently in high altitude environments.