• Disease
• Me and My Pet

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Boarding, dog park, puppy class, dog show…and Kennel Cough!

posted by csenay at 8h01

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'Kennel Cough' or canine infectious tracheobronchitis is the term that is commonly applied to the most prevalent upper respiratory problem in dogs.

Classically, dogs get infected when they are kept in a crowded situation such as boarding kennel, vaccination clinic, puppy class, obedience class, local park, animal shelter, animal hospital waiting room, grooming parlor.

Kennel Cough in dogs stimulates a coarse, dry, hacking cough, about three to seven days after the dog is initially infected. The cough often sounds as if the dog needs to "clear its throat". 

A vaccine is available that helps the dog's body develop immunity to the different viruses and bacteria that commonly cause kennel cough.  

There is an intranasal vaccine that provides excellent local protection against the disease in the nose, mouth, and throat. Some dogs will have some sneezing or nasal discharge in the week following intranasal vaccination.

In addition, another vaccine, given as an injection under the dog's skin, can be used to protect against Kennel cough.

As a general rule, nasal vaccination provides faster immunity than injectable vaccination. 

Proper nutrition and routine de-worming also will help keep the animal healthy so its immune system is strong enough to fight off disease.  

Any vaccine takes days to weeks to stimulate the dog's protective immunity to the disease.  Vaccinating a dog the day it is exposed to disease may not be protective. If you think that your dog may soon be at risk of contracting Kennel cough, remember to vaccinate a few weeks prior to potential exposure to allow full protective immunity to build up. 

For a video of a dog suffering of Kennel Cough consult the following site: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx7tveHyFqk