Upper Respitory Infections

a.k.a. CANINE COUGH and KENNEL COUGH

The common cold.  In humans, it is hard to prevent, very contagious, not usually serious but generally downright annoying.  Unfortunately, our dogs are prone to suffer from a similar malady.  When your dog develops deep coughing, a runny nose, and the sniffles, it is often a sign of an upper respiratory infection known in general terms as ‘Canine’ or ‘Kennel’ Cough - hard to prevent, very contagious, and not usually serious.  While there really is no way to guarantee your dog's immunity from canine (kennel) cough- just as you can't guarantee you will never catch a cold - there are some things you can do to reduce the chances of your dog contracting a serious case of kennel cough while you are away. 

Canine cough can be contracted via bacteria or viruses.  These viruses are usually airborne, which means all your dog has to do is breathe to catch them.  Dogs with lowered immune systems are the most vulnerable, as are those who are in close proximity to other dogs, such as at off-leash parks, kennels, and out on trails.  Yet even if your pet has not been exposed to other dogs recently, there is still a significant chance of your dog developing symptoms.  In the northwest, canine cough seems to go around more during the spring and fall seasons, when the weather changes sporadically, from cool to warm, and from extreme wet to dry.  

There are a number of proactive measures you can take to limit the possibility of your dog catching canine cough, especially if your dog will be in close proximity to other dogs. 

·         First, ensure your pet receives a Bordatella vaccination before going to a boarding or daycare facility. Outbreaks do occur in properly vaccinated dogs; however the infections are often less serious than those in unvaccinated pets.

·         Second, make sure your pet is healthy and strong before being boarded.  Keeping a dog exercised and on a good diet are keys to physical health and stamina.

·         Third, socialize and train your pet!  Dogs that are most vulnerable to canine cough are those who are stressed.  Training and socializing improves all dogs’ ability to cope with change and new surroundings.

Additionally, ask some questions of the facility where your dog will be staying:

·         What do they do if a dog exhibiting any obvious symptoms of canine cough shows up?  Unfortunately, there is no sure way to know if a dog is contagious.  A dog may have already been exposed to the virus, which could be incubating inside the dog at the time of enrollment. 

·         How do they handle the dog in their care that begins to show signs of symptoms?  Do they have a way to remove the dog from general population?  Do they carefully watch the dog until pickup?  Do they take the dog to the veterinarian if the condition worsens? When and how do they contact the owner? 

·         What are their cleaning and disinfecting procedures to help prevent the spread of contagious infections?  Do they use professional cleaning products that contain both viricides and germicides?  Are all common surfaces cleaned daily?  Most viruses are fragile, and die as soon as they dry out.  However, it is impossible to completely disinfect ‘the air’.

 The good news is that kennel cough is not usually a life-threatening condition.  Commons signs of a kennel cough infection will be sneezing, a nasal discharge, and/or a deep, throaty cough.  If you see mild symptoms, and your pet is eating and acting normally, often you can simply let the virus run its course.  If your dog seems uncomfortable, is lethargic, won’t eat, and/or has a deep, constant bronchial cough, have your dog seen by your vet.  Usually treatment for bacteria strains of canine cough will consist of antibiotics, to prevent a secondary infection; there is no specific therapy for viruses, although sometimes a cough suppressant is recommended.  In either circumstance, keeping your dog at home, making sure your pet gets lots of rest, and avoiding common play areas for a week to 10 days will help your dog get better faster, and help prevent the spread of the virus to other canine companions.

This article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or supercede qualified veterinary advice.  Please consult your vet for any illnesses concerning your pet.