Did you say kennel cough? What’s that?

If you live in America and have used a kennel or doggie day care facility, you know that you have to make sure that your dog received his kennel cough “shot”.

WHAT IS KENNEL COUGH

The canine tracheobronchitis, also known as the kennel cough, is a highly infectious disease of the upper respiratory system of your dog. Its agents travel by air (thus it’s highly contagious state) and can come from various sources. The Bordatella bronchiseptica is the most common source of the disease.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of the disease are easily recognizable. A dry hacking sound that can be sometimes followed by some retching (a little bit like the whooping cough with the humans) and a watery nasal discharge. If left untreated, the kennel cough can cause lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, pneumonia and/or death. The symptoms last usually between 14 and 20 days.

TREATMENT

After a diagnosis by the symptoms by a vet (blood works are also sometimes used), a treatment by antibiotics might be prescribed. The vet might also decide to let the disease run its course if the symptoms are mild. In case of pneumonia, it might be necessary to keep your dog under supervision with IV antibiotics at the vet.

It is also important to note that even after the disappearance of the symptoms, a dog can still infect other dogs because the disease can last from 6 to 14 weeks.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MY DOG?

By asking your vet to administered the spray shot at the same time as the yearly shots, should you have an active life with your dog or not.

NOTE – GOING ON VACATIONS

Before you go on vacations and leave your dog in a kennel facility or a doggie day care, call them ahead and ask for their acceptance criteria’s. Be aware that in some cities, like New York City, your dog has to be immunized every 6 months. Most cities will ask that your dog be immunized once a year only.

Because the kennel cough is such a highly contagious disease with sometimes a sad ending, it is important to protect our dog against it. Dogs are part of your family and should be treated as such.

source : pets.webmd.com and peteducation.com