I wonder if they've tested the dogs for COVID. I know there were some concerns early on about whether or not dogs could get COVID; but now I'm wondering if it's possible COVID has made the jump to dogs.

Well this is terrifying. I’m not in an affected state but my dog loves the dog park. I’ll feel bad keeping him away from it but it may be best to err on the side of caution.

I suppose for once I'm thankful that my dog is antisocial as hell and kind of hates the dog park. At least we can keep her safe without feeling like we're depriving her. I hope for everyone's sake that they figure out what it is and how to treat it asap.

More coverage on the NH cases (Aug 2023)

Veterinarians in southern New Hampshire are dealing with an increase in calls about an aggressive respiratory illness; more than 99% of affected animals recover, but some become very sick.

Dogs in New Hampshire have been dealing with a contagious respiratory illness.

"We are seeing a large number of dogs with any signs ranging from runny nose and eyes, coughing, up to labored breathing, high fevers," explained Dr. Erin Crowley of the Veterinary Emergency Center of Manchester. "We are seeing dogs and we are tracing them back to kennels and day cares, groomers, anywhere where a large number of dogs are coming together."

Antibiotics are prescribed for the illness. Some have been hospitalized from two to seven days. More than 99% of the dogs recover, but vets are finding dogs of all ages becoming very ill.

One dog, 8-month-old Wallace, became sick at doggie day care and was admitted Thursday with pneumonia. He's now receiving nebulizer treatments.

The Veterinary Emergency Center of Manchester has seen about 300 cases of the aggressive illness in the past couple of months. Most of the phone calls to the 24-hour clinic have been from owners describing their dogs' coughing or breathing issues.

Concern started around school vacation week in April, and the veterinarians attribute this recent spike to people leaving their dogs to go on vacation.

The illness is airborne, and because it is contagious, the clinic has set up a separate entrance to keeps sick dogs isolated.

Antibiotics are prescribed. Some dogs, like Wallace, are hospitalized from two to seven days.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/contagious-respiratory-illness-spreading-among-dogs-in-nh/2818474/#:~:text=Dogs%20in%20New%20Hampshire%20have%20been%20dealing%20with,Crowley%20of%20the%20Veterinary%20Emergency%20Center%20of%20Manchester.

“Hey, I’ve seen this one!”

Thanks for the info.

Anecdotal evidence I have noticed of late.

I came down with covid a month ago. It resolved within a week to ten days, oof that fever and headache.

A friend 300km away had his house down with it a week later. Their dog then started displaying respiratory virus symptoms. I have not visited these folks in almost 2yrs.

My ex has cats who live 100km in the other direction. They are sneezing and have goopy eyes now too.

I moved two weeks ago. This is the only time my cat has experienced the outdoors in years. As she was carried to the car / new place.

She is now exhibiting respiratory virus symptoms.

All anecdoatal, far too small sample size, and it could be the stress of the move reignited something else for her... But i have noticed the odd seeming frequency of overlap with canine and feline respiratory issues, and people, of late.

Not enough details in this news story to figure out if it's just one reporter taking an interview and really spinning it out of proportion. All articles I can find come from the same source.