Snuffles got the Sniffles?
This time of year tends to expose us to the latest and greatest in new cold and flu strains. These minor illnesses get spread around, run their course and then die off. They're an irritating part of life.
 Our dogs are no different and it appears as though a very mild strain of the dog equivalent of a cold/flu - Canine Cough - is making its rounds on the North Shore. Canine Cough is an often misunderstood ailment that could use some demystifying, given 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 - like 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 - though 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). However, 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, 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. |
Perfect for those surprise showers that only happen when you are exactly halfway through your walk, the packable rain poncho is a compact and convenient raincoat that will keep your pet dry at a moment's notice. Available in a wide variety of colours and sizes, this economical rain jacket can easily clip to a leash or be stowed in a pocket. And at just $12.50, it's easy to be prepared for the inevitable downpour! 
We've been hard at work in our playroom, segmenting a portion of it into a separate, fully contained, sound-reduced 10' x 33' dividable playroom.