Atypical canine infectious respiratory disease complex

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Atypical canine infectious respiratory disease complex (aCIRDC) is a proposed novel respiratory disease in dogs [1] [2] of unknown cause. It has been recorded in 19 US states, with more cases on the West Coast.[ citation needed ]

Contents

It has also been referred to as respiratory syndrome of unknown aetiology in dogs and as canine respiratory disease of unknown origin. [3]

History

It was first described in summer 2023 as a cluster of 200 cases around Portland, Oregon. [4]

Characteristics

Symptoms include a cough, fever, lethargy, sneezing and watery eyes. In some cases, the illness proceeds to death. [1] Cases tend to fit three clinical syndromes: chronic mild/moderate tracheobronchitis of prolonged duration (6+ weeks), [5] with coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes; chronic pneumonia that is minimally responsive to antimicrobials, possibly including dyspnea; and, rarely, acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and can lead to death. [6] [7] Most cases are self-limiting and respond well to supportive care. [8] Antibiotics may be indicated. [7]

Diagnosis should rule out known forms of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC; also known as kennel cough). aCIRDC does not respond to regular treatment protocols for CIRCD and the course of the disease is longer and more severe. [9]

There is no evidence that it can spread to humans.[ citation needed ]

Cause

The cause is currently unknown.[ citation needed ]

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire have put forth a possible bacterium as the cause. [6] They have tentatively identified this as IOLA KY405, [10] which was previously identified in humans in 2021. [11] This is similar to Mycoplasma in lacking a cell wall and having a small genome. [10]

However, other vets have suggested that this might just represent a peak in CIRDC cases and not involve any new pathogens. This could be due to changes in human behaviour following the end of COVID-19 lockdowns and other COVID-19-related disruption to veterinary care (e.g. frequency of vaccination), as well as to the general increase in dog numbers in the US. [12] [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hasan, Mahamudul and Miller, Laura, Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex: A Case Study of Epidemiology and Risk Factor Investigation Based on Survey Data from Dog Owners Across the United States of America. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4805779 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4805779
  2. ↑ Hasan, M., Romano, T. A., & Miller, L. C. (2025). Characteristics and case fatality factors of atypical canine infectious respiratory disease: an observational survey using dog owners’ data in the United States. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 86(10), ajvr.25.04.0133. Retrieved Nov 27, 2025, doi : 10.2460/ajvr.25.04.0133
  3. ↑ "Canine respiratory disease outbreaks". 25 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "Understanding Atypical Canine Respiratory Disease | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health". 5 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "Map shows where mysterious dog respiratory illness has spread in U.S. - CBS News". CBS News . 19 December 2023.
  6. 1 2 "LSU Vet Med raises awareness about Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (ACIRDC): Symptoms, Research, and Precautions".
  7. 1 2 3 "Canine respiratory mystery: What we know about the outbreak". AAHA NewStat. American Animal Hospital Association. December 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Q&A: What to Know About a Mysterious Dog Illness Sweeping the Country". 20 December 2023.
  9. ↑ "Canine respiratory disease outbreaks". 25 August 2022.
  10. 1 2 K9 Atypical Pneumonia Update (PDF) (Report). University of New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. August 2025. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  11. ↑ Fukuda, Kazumasa; Yamasaki, Kei; Ogura, Yoshitoshi; Kawanami, Toshinori; Ikegami, Hiroaki; Noguchi, Shingo; Akata, Kentarou; Katsura, Keisuke; Yatera, Kazuhiro; Mukae, Hiroshi; Hayashi, Tetsuya; Taniguchi, Hatsumi (2021). "A human respiratory tract-associated bacterium with an extremely small genome". Communications Biology. 4 (1): 628. doi:10.1038/s42003-021-02162-6. PMC   8155191 . PMID   34040152.
  12. ↑ "Penn Vet | Three takeaways on respiratory illness in dogs".
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