Is Your Pup Protected?

Spring is here and will soon give way to the long, hot, lazy days of summer. This is ideally the time when most pet owners take their beloved furry friends for their annual medical checkup and to get any necessary medications and vaccinations that may be due.

Regardless of your plans for the upcoming summer season, it’s always a good idea to make sure that your pup receives a Kennel Cough vaccination.

Kennel Cough is a very common infectious respiratory disease which can cause inflammation and irritation in your dog’s respiratory system.  This includes the windpipe and larynx and generally causes a very recognizable “honking” type of cough.

Contrary to the common name which has been popularized due to the fact that it spreads rapidly when dogs are kept in close quarters such as kennels, animal shelters and pet stores, Kennel Cough is an airborne disease.  As a result, your pup cannot only become infected with the disease by close contact with another pup that has the disease, but can also catch it from bacteria on shared toys, food bowls or any other shared items.  This is often the case in boarding kennels and doggy day care facilities.

Although the disease may be caused by a singular or combination of various types of bacteria and viruses, “Bordatella” bacteria is generally the main culprit.  The vaccine for the disease is based around the Bordaella bacteria and is sometimes called the “Bordatella Vaccine”.

The incubation period for signs to appear is between 2 to 14 days and your pup can be infectious to other dogs without showing any signs of the disease.  Generally the main symptions are the “honking” type of cough, lethargy, runny nose or eyes, loss of appetite and fever.

In some cases your pup may recover from the disease without any treatment within three weeks, but the symptons can last up to six weeks.  Depending on your pup’s immune system, age, general health and vaccination status, the severity of the disease can vary from pup to pup.  

If you are aware of your pup being exposed to another dog that has been diagnosed with kennel cough or he shows any symptons, you should see your vet immediately to get a proper diagnosis.

If your pup is infected, be sure to keep him away from all other pets during his contagious period of time. Also, as a courtesy, you should inform any dog owner that your pup has been in contact with so they can monitor and/or treat their pet.

Your vet may prescribe medication for the disease, depending on your dog’s individual case, which is generally an antibiotic aimed at killing the Bordatella bacteria.  He  may also prescribe other medications to combat dehydration, anti-inflammatories to reduce a fever, or a cough suppresant.

While your pup is recovering at home, try to keep your home well ventilated.  You should also try using a harness while out walking which will help avoid pulling on a collar that can aggravate the trachea. Keep your pup well rested and be sure that he drinks plenty of water.  Reduce any stress for your pup by keeping him comfortable inside out of heat or cold and keep him company.

If you haven’t already done so, make an appointment with your vet and be sure that your furry friend has or will receive the vaccination for kennel cough.  You should also be aware that many boarding and training facilities will not accept your pet unless he has received the proper vaccinations.

So stay safe and keep your pup happy and healthy during the upcoming summer season and all year round.