Canine Respiratory Disease Advisory
The Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) has received multiple reports from private practitioners in the northeast regarding increased incidence of canine respiratory disease of unknown etiology resulting in pneumonia. Affected dogs have histories of shared doggie daycares or boarding kennels and all have recovered with varying levels of supportive care, requiring supplemental oxygen and antibiotics in some cases.
Practitioners presented with similar cases are encouraged to perform diagnostic testing immediately, during the acute phase of disease and prior to initiating treatment. Delaying diagnostics may result in negative test results, as detection of some viruses may be inhibited by a rapid immune response, and antibiotic treatment may impede bacterial growth and detection. The AHDC Veterinary Support Services (VSS) team is available for diagnostic consultation on these cases and can arrange to have appropriate transport media or specimen collection containers overnighted when necessary. Veterinarians are encouraged to call (607) 253-3900 or email vetsupport@cornell.edu to reach a VSS veterinarian.
Diagnostics to consider in these cases include:
| Test Performed | Test Code | Samples Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Bacterial Culture | AER | Swab of transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or swab of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in Amies transport media or BAL/TTW fluid in red top tube |
| Anaerobic Bacterial Culture | ANAER | Swab of transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or swab of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in anaerobic transport media |
|
Canine Respiratory Panel *Panel consists of multiple PCR assays: Canine Adenovirus Virus, Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Parainfluenza Virus, Canine Pneumovirus, Beta-Coronavirus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma Cynos, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Influenza A Virus (comprehensive Influenza Virus detection) |
CRPNL |
Nasal swab in viral transport media or red top tube with 0.5ml of sterile saline Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in red top tube |
| Tracheal Wash Cytology | TWE |
(2) air dried slides of tracheal wash fluid Tracheal wash fluid in EDTA |
|
Virus Isolation |
VI |
Nasal swab in viral transport media or red top tube with 0.5ml of sterile saline Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid |