A woman who believes her pet died of a new "mysterious dog illness" has warned owners to avoid doggie parks.<br /><br />Trang Huyen, a beauty business owner, thinks her shih tzu Chowder died from an unknown condition that's spreading across the United States. <br /><br />More than 200 cases have been documented and possible cases have been reported in Colorado, California, Indiana, Washington and Georgia.<br /><br />Chowder fell ill in late October and his symptoms appeared minor until he began struggling to breathe and died days later.<br /><br />Now Trang is warning other dog owners "to take safety precautions such as limiting time at dog parks and areas with other dogs."<br /><br />The new mystery illness was described by the Oregon Department of Agriculture as an "atypical canine infectious respiratory disease."<br /><br />Reported symptoms of the disease include a cough that can last for weeks, runny eyes and sneezing.<br /><br />Another possible symptom is pneumonia which can lead to death in 36 hours.<br /><br />According to Trang, who didn't wish to reveal her age, Chowder's initial symptoms matched the new disease.<br /><br />The pup was lethargic. He also refused to eat and had a cough.<br /><br />The pet's tongue also turned blue in the later stages of his illness.<br /><br />Trang, from Pensacola, Florida, USA, said: "It started with a small dry cough and being more lethargic each and every day after that.<br /><br />"It did not [seem serious]. Chowder would have seasonal allergies so I thought nothing of it.<br /><br />"Things started to change when his breathing was much heavier and he did not want to eat or drink."<br /><br />Trang believes that her case was too early for the vets to correctly diagnose but that the symptoms match the new illness.<br /><br />Vets diagnosed him with pneumonia but disagreed on causes, one suggested allergies and another liquid aspiration.<br /><br />Trang explained: "We went to the ER vet and visited multiple veterinarians. Not one veterinarian knew about the mystery dog illness at the time of my visit.<br /><br />"I realized that many others were going through the same thing with their pet.<br /><br />"They all had the same symptoms: cough and severe respiratory issues."<br /><br />Trang spent roughly $4,000 on treatments. Chowder was x-rayed, put in an oxygen chamber and medicated.<br /><br />Sadly, the treatment had no effect and Chowder passed away just days after his symptoms began showing.<br /><br />Trang, who has had Chowder for more than ten years, said: "Chowder meant the world to me.<br /><br />"He was a significant part of my family. He followed me everywhere.<br /><br />"For the past decade, he was my constant companion, my source of comfort during the darkest times and the one who brought boundless joy into my life."<br /><br />The cause of the disease remains unknown but researchers at the University of New Hampshire claim a previously unknown germ may be causing the illness.
