Dear Client of Dog Wash Café,

Recently, there have been concerning news articles* highlighting a contagious respiratory illness in dogs, akin to "kennel cough." To understand it better and ensure that Dog Wash Café is doing everything we can to help us ensure we are not affected by this illness at our salons, we promptly consulted our trusted veterinarian colleague, Dr. Christian Cumberbatch of easyVet in Alpharetta, to understand the situation and implement his advised and necessary precautions at Dog Wash Café.

Dr. Cumberbatch informed us that he is aware of this illness and that he has worked with some of his client’s dogs at easyVet that have exhibited the Mycoplasma and Parainfluenza virus, working collaboratively to cause the disease. The term "Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease" more accurately captures the infections he is observing, extending beyond dog kennels to local neighborhoods and dog parks. To address this, Dr. Cumberbatch recommends treating symptomatic dogs with antibiotics that are effective against both Bordatella and Mycoplasma. Treatment not only alleviates symptoms but also reduces shedding, thereby curbing community spread.

For more information or concerns related specifically to your dog, we recommend reaching out to your pet's veterinarian directly. You can contact Dr. Cumberbatch directly at (678) 252-5604 for his Alpharetta, GA location or (678) 783-6867 for his Cumming, GA location, or online at www.easyvet.com. 

Dr. Cumberbatch has indicated that symptoms of Mycoplasma in dogs can vary depending on where the bacteria are located. These are some of the signs you might look for in your dog:

• Sneezing

• Coughing

• Inflammation of the nose 

• Eye inflammation

• Fluid build-up and discharge from the eyes

• Difficulty breathing

• Infection in the bladder

• And others

If your dog has any of these symptoms, Dr. Cumberbatch recommends a 2-week quarantine period which is crucial for preventing bacterial infections and potential Mycoplasma transmission, even in asymptomatic dogs. Without antibiotic treatment, dogs could carry and shed Mycoplasma for 2-3 months, emphasizing the need for caution during this period.

Please help us reduce community spread and continue to keep this disease out of our dog grooming salons by staying aware of your dog’s health. If you notice any of the above symptoms in your dog, please see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Also, if you have appointments scheduled at Dog Wash Café within 2 to 3 weeks of noticing any of these symptoms in your dog, please let us know asap. We will happily reschedule your appointment for a time when your dog feels better. 

We also want to reassure you about our commitment to cleanliness at Dog Wash Café. As a licensed facility exceeding the Georgia Department of Agriculture's safety standards, we implement rigorous daily sanitization protocols. From grooming tools to bathing tubs and cages, everything is meticulously cleaned and sanitized. We use top-tier veterinary sanitizing products, targeting over 50 infectious agents, ensuring a safe environment for your pets.

Each day, as an integral aspect of our routine operations, our grooming salons undergo meticulous cleaning and sanitization. Our commitment extends to the daily sanitization of bathing tubs, drying tables, crates, and grooming tables. Immediate attention is given to cleaning up biologicals, such as urine and feces, using specialized sanitizing products. To maintain a pristine environment, we diligently vacuum dog hair, dust, and dander every few minutes. As the day concludes, we conduct a thorough second round of sanitization for our equipment, floors, and walls.

Additionally, we prioritize the quality of the air your dogs and our team members breathe. Regularly changing our HVAC filters routinely and using an air purifier in the salon ensures a continuous supply of clean and healthy air, contributing to the overall well-being of everyone in our facility.

We greatly appreciate your continued trust in Dog Wash Cafe. We remain at your service and our dedicated team is looking forward to continuing providing exceptional grooming and bathing services to your beloved pets.

Sincerely,

The Dog Wash Café Teams in Alpharetta, Milton, Holly Springs & Johns Creek

* Links to recent news articles: 

https://patch.com/georgia/alpharetta/s/itf22/potentially-fatal-mystery-respiratory-illness-is-sickening-ga-dogs?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert&user_email=024ee5226c5580af880a31721903cf26d162fefa505d813729845f14e0b92396

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/mysterious-illness-spreading-nationwide-among-dogs/WOU2PURGWVESBHONNQUUZ32VH4/

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/mysterious-fatal-dog-respiratory-georgia-symptoms