“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.
“The reason we’re doing this is because it will really enable us to give the students training opportunities under supervision of our faculty,” Dean Sue VandeWoude said. “That should better equip them to start their jobs when they graduate more prepared to do the things they’re going to be called upon to do.”
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.
Gates Institute member Steve Dow, DVM, is the principal investigator of Colorado State University’s first clinical trial in the use of this novel therapy in canines with naturally occurring osteosarcoma.
One out of four households in the U.S. has experienced trouble accessing veterinary care, according to a 2018 report by the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition. Colorado State University’s Animal-Human Policy Center surveyed Colorado veterinary professionals to understand their perceptions of access-to-care and workforce challenges and potential solutions.
“We want to know the entire history of the horse, but it’s important to get your hands on the horse with a physical examination. We’re not there to persuade the buyer one way or the other. We’re presenting facts." -Dr. Luke Bass
“One of the motivators is to create this enhanced space for research, education and service — service including being a hospital and serving our veterinary patients and their families — and how we really essentially leverage all of those together to advance what we do in veterinary medicine to continually get better,” said Dr. Kelly Hall-Wilke, associate professor of emergency and critical care and chair of the VHEC project planning team.
"The BluePearl specialists bring a diversity of clinical experience and knowledge which will be invaluable to our entire team—students, staff, house officers, and faculty members. The veterinary industry is changing rapidly, and we must adjust to those changes to make the veterinary teaching hospital model sustainable. This program is a prime example of such innovation," said Sheila McMullan, senior associate dean, Colorado State University Veterinary Health System.