News Animals

Here are 5 questions about the mystery dog illness making news

Researchers are trying to discover what’s behind the rise in “atypical kennel cough"

woman with her dog

Freelance writer Michelle Hiskey bonds with her dog, Sheba, who may have fallen ill with a more severe form of kennel cough afflicting canines across the United States.

Michelle Hiskey

By Saima S. Iqbal

In recent weeks, claims about a mysterious respiratory illness sickening dogs across the country have spooked pet owners.

Dogs with what veterinarians have dubbed “atypical kennel cough” show more persistent and severe symptoms than those caused by run-of-the-mill kennel cough: a coldlike condition caused by a grab bag of viruses and bacteria.