Kennel Cough.

Coppergate STRONGLY recommends that boarders are vaccinated against kennel cough.

While unfortunately named "Kennel Cough" as apposed to "vets waiting room cough" or "let your dog play with others in the park cough" it is a fact that in any environment where dogs are in close contact with others the spreading of this virus can occur. Although vaccination cannot guaranteed to stop your dog from contacting the virus it is recognised to lessen the effects (which in most cases are more annoying to the owners than the dogs!) of Kennel Cough.
For more advice and information we recommend you contact your vet at least 10 days before boarding.

The following facts will give you some further information on this matter.

What is Kennel Cough ?

• A highly infectious disease of the respiratory system of dogs.
• Particularly a problem where large numbers of dogs are kept together, EG: animal shelters and boarding kennels.
• "Species Specific" IE, does not affect cats or humans.
  

What causes Kennel Cough ?

• A number of different viruses and bacteria may cause the disease, examples are -
• Canine parainfluenza virus (CPV) Bordetalla bronchispetica
  

How is Kennel Cough spread ?

• Inhalation of droplets from the mouth or nose of an infected dog when it coughs or sneezes.
• Direct physical contact with cages, toys, food bowls or clothes of people handling infected dogs.
• A few dogs may "carry" the disease and spread infection after coughing has ceased.

What are the symptoms ?

• Most commonly a dry cough, often brought on by excitement, exercise or pressure on the airway, EG: collar & lead.
• Laryngitis may cause the dog to retch after coughing.
• A clear nasal discharge and runny eyes may be present. If the discharge is thick and greenish yellow in colour a secondary infection may be present which requires a veterinary opinion.
• Symptoms can begin 1-10 days after infection and coughing may persist for 2-3 months in some cases. However the coughing is usually at its worse for the first 7-10 days which can affect the severity of the disease.
• Generally dogs remain bright and active with a normal appetite, although symtoms can vary greatly between individual dogs.
• Some dogs that are susceptible to stress may develop a fever and become lethargic, with some loss of appetite.
• In very severe cases progression to a bronchopneumonia may occur and is particularly a problem in young, old or debilitated dogs.

How is Kennel Cough treated ?

• In many cases the dog will overcome the disease with its own immunity.
• More severely affected dogs may be given anitibiotics to prevent secondary infection and the possible spread of the disease to the lungs.
• Treatment to relieve coughing is difficult and is rarely 100% effective. A soothing cough syrup can sometimes help, as can some forms of anti-inflammatory therapy available from your vet.
• In addition to drug therapy it is very important to limit exercise and remove collars and leads. A dog harness is preferred as this does not apply direct pressure to the airway. This is important for several weeks after the symptoms have resolved to allow for full recovery and prevent exercise induced coughing.

What can be done to prevent Kennel Cough ?

• Vaccination is of limited effect due to the number of agents that may be involved in the disease. Therefore it is impossible to completely eradicate Kennel Cough from the shelter enviroment, but the aim is to limit the disease to a minimum by strenghtening the health of the dogs and reducing stress as much as possible, those that do become ill are isolated and treated as nesessary.

IT IS RECOMMENDED WHEN MIXING DOGS YOU SPEAK TO YOUR OWN VET FIRST FOR ADVICE