The mysterious illness is described as an “atypical canine infectious respiratory disease,” the Oregon Department of Agriculture said in a November 9 news release. In other words, dogs with the unidentified illness show similar signs of an upper respiratory disease but generally don’t test positive for common respiratory diseases. The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has also reported cases of a mysterious canine disease, the lab’s director told CNN in an email. While the news may be concerning, “We suggest caution rather than worry,” the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association’s website says. While this particular disease is unusual, “Periodic outbreaks of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) can occur in a dog population.

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Persons: Ryan Scholz, David B, ”, Kevin Snekvik, Snekvik Organizations: CNN, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon, American Veterinary Medical Association, New, Diagnostic Laboratory, University of New, Disease, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon Veterinary Locations: New Hampshire, Oregon, Colorado , Illinois, University of New Hampshire, Washington