MOLINE, Ill. — Two Quad City parks and recreation departments have closed local dog parks due to a mystery respiratory disease spreading in dogs.
Moline Parks & Recreation announced early Wednesday that it is closing its two dog parks "out of an abundance of caution" due to the mysterious infectious respiratory disease in dogs. Later in the day, Davenport Parks and Recreation announced they would be doing the same.
The following parks and locations are closed until further notice:
- Greenvalley Dog Park at 6009 50th Ave. in Moline
- Butterworth Dog Park at 15th Street and 8th Avenue in Moline
- Centennial Dog Park at 315 S. Marquette St. in Davenport
- Robin Creek Dog Park at 4411 N. Marquette St. in Davenport
Moline and Davenport aren't the only local cities to close their dog parks due to the ongoing disease affecting canines. Bettendorf closed Crow Creek Dog Park, found at 4800 Devils Glen Rd., on Tuesday. The city also canceled its annual holiday dog walk.
Concerns about the respiratory illness began in August when the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) published a release. The illness has since been found in at least 14 states, including Illinois.
Symptoms of the mystery dog illness include:
- Coughing that doesn't get better on its own after a week or so
- Sneezing
- Nasal or eye discharge
- Lethargy
- Trouble breathing, especially from the stomach
- Blue or purple gums (due to not getting enough oxygen)
Some cases of pneumonia progress quickly, making dogs very sick within 24 to 36 hours.
Here are some precautions recommended by the OVMA that dog owners can take to keep their pets safe:
- Vaccinate your dog as recommended by your veterinarian. This may include vaccinations for canine influenza, Bordetella, and parainfluenza.
- Avoid communal water bowls and toys, and clean these items thoroughly.
- Avoid playdates with unknown dogs. Socialization is important for your dog, so you might consider creating a playgroup of known dogs that are also vaccinated.
- Avoid or limit your dog's exposure to settings with unknown dogs, such as off-leash dog parks.
- If your dog is sick, please keep them at home and seek veterinary care.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel