Veterinarians are sounding the alarm as they see a growing number of coughing dogs.
Wendy Brown’s three golden retrievers — Bridge, Dooley and Lulu — are among the dogs who started showing symptoms earlier this November.
“Dooley started doing kind of this huffing and also seemed to feel quite lethargic,” Brown recalled to “Good Morning America.” “Not too long after, Bridge began to exhibit the symptoms. But his were louder, more boisterous. I thought it was his stomach because he made like a retching sound.”
Initially, Brown thought her pets had a typical kennel cough but when their symptoms didn’t subside, she knew it was something more serious.
“The vet started him on a 10-day cycle of doxycycline. Today was day 10 and he is not a lot better,” Brown said.
Brown, an Idaho resident, said she’s still not sure what could have caused her dogs’ illness in the first place.
While research is underway, veterinarians say the mystery illness is highly contagious and can be fatal. Reported symptoms so far have also been typical of a kennel cough and they include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge and lethargy.
“Instead of that dry cough where the dog felt good, it was now this wet cough where the dog felt sick,” Amanda Cavanagh, the section head of the urgent care service at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, told “GMA.”
Experts like Cavanagh said any dogs showing signs of consistent coughing should be brought to a vet to be examined.
“We can ultrasound the lungs to see if there is a problem that is related to pneumonia or the contagious pneumonia that seems to be going around,” Cavanagh said.
Cavanagh also recommends keeping any coughing dogs away from other dogs and for two weeks after the cough goes away.
Indomitable spirit: The harrowing journey of an abandoned mother dog with a broken neck, overcoming cruelty to find redemption for her poor cubs
It’s a Miracle! Abandoned Pregnant Dog in Critical Condition Still Able to Give Birth to 7 Puppies
On November 11th, a distressing report came in about a pregnant dog in critical condition. The situation was heart-wrenching – the dog had been abandoned in a box with a broken neck, just days away from giving birth. There were signs of violence on her frail body, and her puppies were at risk.
The rescuer who responded to the call, Kola Kariola, described the moment he first saw her as heartbreaking. The dog collapsed in his hands, her belly bleeding profusely. He rushed her to the vet where she received a blood transfusion and was stabilized, but her condition was still dire.
Kola consulted with his vet who recommended moving the dog to a larger hospital for further treatment. Her neck needed surgery to save her life, but they decided to wait until after she gave birth to her puppies. The next 48 hours were tense as the brave dog fought for her life and gave birth to 7 puppies, although 2 of them were stillborn. She was unable to feed her puppies, so Kola and his team had to step in and provide nourishment for them.
Despite the odds, the puppies survived, and it was truly a miracle. The mother dog, who was named Belinha, finally underwent her much-needed neck surgery, which was successful. She was then moved to a special room for post-operative care and observation for 72 hours. It was crucial for her to recover fully before being reunited with her puppies.
Kola expressed his gratitude towards Protetora Carol, who played a crucial role in saving Belinha’s life. It was her quick action and dedication to rescuing animals that brought Belinha to safety and enabled her to receive the medical care she desperately needed.
Belinha’s story is a testament to the resilience and strength of animals, as well as the power of compassionate individuals who go above and beyond to help those in need. It’s a reminder of the importance of reporting cases of animal cruelty and neglect, and taking action to help animals in distress. Belinha and her puppies are now on the road to recovery, thanks to the unwavering efforts of Kola, his vet team, and Protetora Carol. Their story is one of hope, compassion, and the incredible bond between humans and animals.
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