ABOUT KENNEL COUGH
Kennel Cough is an all-encompassing term used to depict a multitude of highly contagious respiratory illnesses. Kennel Cough, scientifically known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is easily spread from dog to dog through aerosol droplets, direct contact, or contact with contaminated surfaces like food and water bowls, toys, or kennel runs. It is similar to how the common cold is spread in a children’s daycare center. Your dog is most likely to pick it up in an area where lots of dogs congregate, but they can also pick it up from any contaminated environment. It is possible you can even bring it home to your dog if you spend a lot of time around dogs at work or during volunteer opportunities.
Bordetella is the vaccine your dog receives when they get their first puppy shots to help boost their immunity from the Kennel Cough virus. Since Kennel Cough is highly contagious it is recommended that your dog have this vaccine every year. The Ruff Ranch requires updated Bordetella vaccination in all dogs on the property, no exceptions.
The tricky thing about the Bordetella vaccine, just like the human flu vaccine, is that it does not protect against all strains of the bacteria found in some Kennel Cough cases.
This is why your dog may contract Kennel Cough even though he or she is currently vaccinated. Your dog will be protected from the Bordetella bacterial infection with this vaccine, the most contagious upper respiratory infection, but this particular vaccine alone cannot protect your dog from the wide range of all infectious diseases.
In addition to requiring this vaccine, we also have thorough bacterial disinfection protocol in place at The Ruff Ranch. You as a client may ask us to review this process with you at any time. However, this does not mean your pet will never be at risk for contracting Kennel Cough. Every time you take your pet out in the community, they are at risk for contracting an upper respiratory disease just like humans. We cannot control where owners take their dogs when not at the Ruff Ranch!
To make things more challenging, a dog may be contagious without showing any symptoms. Kennel Cough symptoms start about five days after being exposed to the virus and last around one week. Once your dog is symptom free, it is recommended to avoid taking your pup out and about for a week. If you are concerned that your pet is experiencing any symptoms listed above, please contact your pet care professional and have your pet examined.
TRY NOT TO WORRY! Kennel Cough itself is rarely life threatening, but the virus could lead to bronchopneumonia in puppies and chronic bronchitis in senior or immunocompromised dogs, so it is very important to get your dog checked if they have any of the following symptoms:
Coughing – very strong, often with a “honking” noise
Hacking up “white foam”
Sneezing
Lethargy and loss of appetite
Low fever
If your dog does contract Kennel Cough, your vet will prescribe antibiotics in order to prevent both a secondary bacterial infection and also something more serious. Healthy dogs generally recover quickly, and then you can both resume all your favorite activities.
If you have any questions, please contact your vet.