A mysterious canine respiratory illness has been infecting thousands of dogs in at least 14 states in the US (Colorado, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Washington) causing a cough, runny eyes, and sneezing, and has even led to death in some rare cases! What is the cause of this mysterious disease? It may be bacterial or viral. However, it does not respond well (if at all) to traditional treatments, like antibiotics. According to Dr. Scott Weese of Ontario Veterinary College, this mysterious illness is caused by a microbial pathogen we’ve never seen before. (1) Weese argues that it is also possible that this respiratory illness could be a combination of pathogens concurrently- Bordetella (kennel cough), mycoplasma pneumonia, and canine influenza. (2)

This novel, mysterious pathogen is likely to have evolved from an unknown component of the canine microbiome. Researchers cannot confirm whether the pathogen is bacterial, viral, or fungal using traditional culturing or PCR methods. It is smaller than a typical bacterium in both cell size and genome size. Dr. David Needle of The University of New Hampshire conducted early metagenomic work that initially did not reveal any virus, bacteria, or fungi of concern. (3, 4) But, upon further investigation into their data, they did identify an abnormal portion of the genome of one non-culturable, bacterial-like organism, similar to Mycoplasma in a subset of the respiratory samples. (5) Their research group suggests this unknown Mycoplasma could be contributing to the disease. In addition, The San Diego Human Society has identified dogs with a presumed similar presentation of this mysterious respiratory illness as Streptococcus Equi zooepidemicus to play a possible role.

It is impossible to identify the specific strain that could contribute to this mysterious illness using traditional methods for testing, like culture methods. Fortunately, MiDOG can help! The MiDOG All-in-One Test diagnoses bacterial and fungal infections, even respiratory samples.

This test could help to identify what is causing the canine respiratory disease if it is of bacterial or fungal origin!

Utilizing Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) Technology in Veterinary Medicine to detect, identify, and diagnose any animal's infectious diseases/infection.

References:

  1. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/12/01/1216209026/dog-respiratory-illness-mystery-cause-symptoms-research
  2. https://vcahospitals.com/press-center/vca-news/canine-respiratory-illness
  3. https://colsa.unh.edu/new-hampshire-veterinary-diagnostic-laboratory/canine-respiratory-outbreak
  4. https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2023/11/unh-researchers-provide-major-clue-mysterious-dog-illness-case
  5. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/mysterious-dog-illness-pet-research-vet-treatment-rcna127505

 


Categories: Dogs, Respiratory Infection

animal diagnostics

Validated by Veterinarians

“Clients expect their veterinarians to stay up to date on all matters that affect the health and well being of their non-human family members. The current technique that we have used to determine the presence and antibiotic sensitivity of organisms causing disease in our pets is over a century old.

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Bernadine Cruz, DVM, Laguna Hills Animal Hospital Laguna Woods, CA

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Michael Morgan, DVMQuail Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

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Thank you very much MiDOG, for sharing the opportunity to try your technology.”

Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, President of Forensic Veterinary Investigations, LLC – Boston, MA

The MiDOG All-in-One Microbial Test is our new gold standard of pathogen identification. The results are so accurate and valuable – especially with assessing both bacterial and fungal infections with the same sample.

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Kathy Wentworth, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Canine and Feline Practice – PetPoint Medical Center, Irvine, CA

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Cathy Curtis, DVM – London, UK

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Michael Kavanagh, DVM, Practice owner – Saddleback Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“It’s helpful to have an NGS spectrum because it gives you a broader insight of what’s happening and what might be going on.”

Richard Harvey BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS – European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology – Head of Dermatology, Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service – Solihull, England UK

“I have been using MiDog for over 4 years now and exclusively as my test of choice for all cultures for 3 years.  It is so great to submit a culture and feel confident there will be a result when it comes back, especially for urine cultures.  The reports were intimidating at first because they contain so much information.  After the first few, I am now quickly able to glance over it and pick out the highlights.  I can then come back later and pour over all the details.  I have been extremely pleased with my patients’ results using the test as well.  I don’t envision ever going back to traditional culture and susceptibilities again.”

Brian M. Urmson, DVM, Columbiana Veterinary Associates

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Dr. Melissa Giese, Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital

“MiDOG’s diagnostic approach offers the unique ability to identify pathogens that evade traditional culture and sensitivity testing. I have found that adding a molecular based testing approach in the form of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) from MiDOG to my routine diagnostic cultures can be extremely helpful in the identification and diagnosis of uncommon pathogens in veterinary medicine.”

Dr. Wayne Rosenkrantz, Animal Dermatology Clinic – Tustin

“She [Dr. Krumbeck] really did a great job of making complicated concepts accessible and demonstrating the value of your services. I’m really looking forward to working with MiDOG on my research project!”

Dr. Yaicha Peters, Animal Dermatology Clinic – San Diego

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Dr. Richard Harvey, BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS; European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology

“We’re seeing that, if we prescribe too many antibiotics or they’re taken too frequently, animals are developing inappropriate or pathogenic strains of bacteria. We’re also seeing that our antibiotics are just not working against them anymore… It’s a good example of why we need better diagnostic testing, like MiDOG, so that we’re selecting the correct antibiotic every time our patients have an infection.”

Dr. Alissa Rexo, DVM, CVA, DACVD, Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Dermatology

“The NGS technique as offered by MiDOG is wonderful because pathogens like Melissococcus plutonius, for example, are difficult to grow and keep alive in the laboratory. A standard laboratory cannot truly examine or even properly diagnose this pathogen in bee hives at this time. But with NGS, we can reliably diagnose it.”

Dr. Joerg Mayer, Entomologist and Microbiologist at the University of Georgia

“For me, as a clinician and as a researcher, I see the immense value in the product [the All-in-One Test]. I have had great success using MiDOG clinically, including identifying Mycoplasma in a 24 year old pigeon, a Nannizziopsis spp in a ball python from a large pet distributor, Mycoplasma and Fusobacterium necrophorum co-infection in a peacock, and to identify an abnormal gut GI in a technician’s dog that tested negative for everything else (but we were able to establish what was abnormal, and work toward fixing it).”

Dr. Jeremy Rayl – Veterinarian, Block House Creek Animal Hospital, Cedar Park, Texas

“With MiDog results I not only receive a list of organisms detected in the sample, but also cell counts which allow me to target the most abundant pathogens or the most pathogenic. The identification of antimicrobial resistance genes is also helpful in selecting an appropriate antibiotic. Another benefit is that sample handling is less prone to risk of overgrowth and is stable at room temperature. Easy and informative. A great tool in our diagnostic toolbox!!”

Lauren Palmer DVM, MPH, Marine mammal Care Center Los Angeles