The start of the new school year tends to expose our human children to
new experiences, new friends and new cold and flu
strains. These minor illnesses get spread around, run their course and
then die off. They're an irritating part of our kids' social world.
Our
dogs are no different and unfortunately it appears as though the dog
equivalent of a cold/flu - Canine Cough - is once again making its
rounds on the North Shore. Canine Cough is an often misunderstood ailment that could use some demystifyinggiven that our dogs are socializing more than ever and are therefore more likely to be exposed to it.
Years ago, before dog daycare and off-leash parks, dogs generally would only come in contact with large numbers of their kind when in veterinary offices, boarding kennels or worse - at the pound. This is where Canine Cough got the misnomer "Kennel Cough". The term Kennel Cough tends to conjure up visions of neglected or sick dogs living in unsanitary conditions. In reality, Canine Cough, or Tracheobronchitis, is quite similar to the human cold or flu.
Just as the human cold or flu is highly contagious and tends to spread through groups of people - often children at school, Canine Cough is likewise spread through contact with other dogs, whether at daycare, parks, or on walks. Just like its human counterpart, Canine Cough is also a usually benign albeit annoying ailment that can occasionally progress to a more serious illness in the more vulnerable of those affected - the very young, the very old, or those with compromised immune systems. And as with the human flu, there are multiple, ever-evolving strains that the vaccine may or may not protect against.
As dog professionals, one of our goals is to educate and inform our clientele. To that end, here is an informative article produced by the Pet Care Services Association that can help you better understand Canine Cough.
What is Canine Cough?
Canine
Cough, a much misunderstood disease in dogs often improperly referred
to as "Kennel Cough", is a highly contagious, upper-respiratory ailment
spread by parainfluenza, adenovirus, or Bordetella. Most often passed
on through the air, "Infectious tracheobronchitis" can also be
transmitted on hands or clothing.
The incubation period of
the disease is roughly three to ten days and an infected pet may be
contagious for three weeks after showing the first signs of illness.
Strangely, the dog with parainfluenza alone may not appear ill, yet is
still contagious.
Are these viruses a constant problem?
No.
Tracheobronchitis, like the flu, is often seasonal - mainly due to the
fact that the busiest seasons for pet care facilities tend to be
summertime or over holiday periods. It also tends to be epidemic. When
veterinarians begin to see cases, they normally come from every pet
care facility in town, as well as from individual dog owners whose dogs
did not visit a facility at all. When the outbreak is over, they might
not see another case for months.
Does Tracheobronchitis occur only in pet care facilities?
No.
Since these viruses can be present anywhere, and can travel for
considerable distances through the air, they can affect any dog, even
one that never leaves its own back yard. But Tracheobronchitis is more
likely to occur when the concentration of dogs is greater such as at
dog shows, kennels, dog daycares, veterinarian offices and hospitals as
well as pet shops. Dogs can also be exposed while running loose or
while being walked near other dogs, or playing in the park.
Are the chances of catching it greater when a dog is in a boarding kennel or daycare?
Yes.
Because, in any pet care facility, a dog encounters two conditions that
do not usually exist at home; proximity to a number of potentially
contagious dogs, and the stress and excitement of a less familiar
environment, which can result in lower resistance to disease (these
same factors explain why children are more likely to catch the flu at
school, rather than at home). But the more frequently a dog visits a
pet care facility, the greater are the chances that it will acquire
immunity to the disease. Even during a widespread breakout, only a
fairly small percentage of exposed dogs are affected.
Can the boarding kennel or daycare prevent my dog from catching tracheobronchitis?
While
the spread of canine cough can be minimized by proper cleaning,
isolating obviously sick animals, and properly ventilating the
facility, remember that no amount of supervision, sanitation, or
personalized care is guaranteed to be 100% effective against the
illness. All that a good pet care facility can do is recommend
immunization against tracheobronchitis, refuse to admit an obviously
sick dog, follow responsible cleaning and sanitation practices, listen
and watch for any signs of sickness, and make sure that any dog
requiring veterinary attention receives it as quickly as possible.
Hopefully this strain will continue to be mild and will pass through our district quickly. If
your pup has recently started coughing, please do let us know and keep
him at home with some extra love and chew toys until he's feeling
better.
Speaking of booking in advance, the Christmas holidays are looming in the proverbial headlights now and our boarding spaces are filling fast. If you're looking for a happy place where your pooch can stay while
you travel out of town for the festive season, Wag Zone is a great
destination. With daily river walks and outside play time, plenty of fun with fellow doggy guests, and lots of love and cuddles from certified staff and
on-site overnight caregivers, you can rest assured that your dog will
have a fun, safe and comfy holiday vacation.
