If you are a dog parent, you may have heard the term “Kennel Cough” before. It is a blanket term that covers a common respiratory disease that is highly contagious among dogs. However, the truth is that despite its namesake, it does not necessarily originate from dog kennels and avoiding dog kennels will not necessarily prevent your dog from getting kennel cough. The name Kennel Cough is a misnomer. With the acceptance of our pets in more public spaces like stores and airplanes, they, like humans, are at increased risk of spreading disease. It would be far more accurate to change the term from “Kennel Cough” to “Canine Cough”.
So, what is Kennel Cough?
The two most common culprits causing Canine Cough are Bordetella Brochiseptica (a bacteria) and Parainfluenza (a virus).
Canine Cough is much like the common cold in people and is highly contagious among dogs. Many dogs do not require treatment. Cough in dogs will stimulate a coarse, dry, hacking cough about three to seven days after the dog is initially infected. It sounds as if the dog needs to “clear his throat” and the cough will be triggered by any extra activity or exercise. Many dogs that acquire Canine Cough will cough every few minutes, all day long. Their general state of health and alertness will be unaffected, they usually have no rise in temperature and do not lose their appetite. The signs of Canine Cough usually will last from 7 to 21 days and can be very annoying for the dog and the dog’s owners.
Diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms and a history of recent exposure to other dogs. Bacterial cultures, viral isolation, and blood work can be performed to verify individual agents of the disease, but due to the characteristic nature of the symptoms, these tests are not routinely performed.
Misconception #1: My dog can’t catch Canine Cough from a dog that is not “sick”.
The incubation period for Canine cough is up to 14 days without showing any signs of illness. This means that any dog or surface that a dog has been in contact with could have been the culprit even in the absence of a visibly ill dog.
Misconception #2: My dog can’t catch Canine Cough if they are immunized.
Canine Cough can be contracted in two ways. It can be contracted through the air after another dog sneezes or coughs or it can be contracted through toys, blankets, water bowls or other surfaces that have been in contact with an infected dog. You can also transmit canine cough from an infected dog via your hands, shoes, and clothing.
While the surest way to prevent Canine Cough is to permanently isolate your dog from all other dogs, the benefits of daycare and socialization must be weighed against the inherent risks. Proper vaccination is the next best option. If your dog receives standard vaccinations, they are already being protected against some of the agents causing Canine Cough. Unfortunately, there is not a vaccine for every virus associated with Canine Cough and vaccines alone don’t guarantee that your dog won’t contract the disease. The good news is that proper vaccination schedules will help reduce the severity of the disease if your dog becomes infected.
Misconception #3: Canine Cough only comes from dirty kennels.Regrettably the name “Kennel Cough” leads people to believe kennel cough can only be caught in a kennel or dog boarding facility.
Spoiler alert, Canine Cough can be contracted anywhere dogs meet other dogs or dogs have been. Any time your pup goes to a dog park, participates in a play group, has a grooming appointment, or visits a pet store they can be exposed to the organisms that cause kennel cough. Canine Cough can be acquired from your neighbor’s dog, from a Champion dog at a dog show, from the animal hospital, veterinarian’s office or on a walk..
What should I look for in a dog kennel, play-care, or other facility frequented by dogs?
Air quality: Smaller enclosed spaces with poor ventilation or recirculated air can increase the potential of transmission of airborne diseases.
Sanitization procedures: The organisms causing Canine Cough can live on hard surfaces for 3 to 5 days. Good sanitization practices should be in place for kennels, floors, play equipment, and other objects your dog comes in contact with. In addition, the facility should be free of strong odors that could indicate inadequate cleaning attention.
Policies: Along with having stringent vaccination policies that are in place and followed, facilities should have policies in place that address a dog exhibiting signs of illness including the immediate isolation of a dog possibly infected with Canine Cough.
How Does Pinnacle Pets Reduce the Risk of My Dog Becoming Infected?
Pinnacle Pets addresses the inherent risk of Kennel Cough in a two-pronged approach. First, we have applied the pet industry’s best practices to reduce the risk of illness and optimize the health of your pet including There is no second point.
What does Pinnacle Pets do to help reduce the transmission of Kennel Cough?
- We installed an oversized HVAC system to pull in fresh air from outside with multiple air exchanges per hour
- We have ultraviolet lights in our ventilation system to kill airborne organisms;
- We use specially formulated veterinary hospital-grade disinfectants to sanitize our floors, kennels, play equipment, and other hard surfaces;
- We employ cleaning protocols for the sanitization of indoor play areas and boarding suites;
- We adhere to stringent vaccination policies, mandatory testing, and treatment protocols;
- We use a final sanitizer rinse for all dishes and toys to kill any remaining bacteria or viruses;
- We enforce a policy of not allowing any dog exhibiting signs of illness into our facility; and,
- We employ policies to immediately isolate any dog exhibiting signs of illness from other dogs;
Arming yourself with industry best practices and standards as well as understanding the truths and misnomers of Canine (Kennel) Cough is the best way to protect your furry friend. That being said, even in the most hygienic, well-ventilated, spacious kennels, the possibility of your pup acquiring Canine Cough exists regardless of having been vaccinated. Remember, it may not be the blame of the kennel operator if your dog develops Canine Cough shortly after that weekend stay. There may have been a symptom free infected dog, unknown to anyone, that was a source for other dogs in the kennel. Or, unbeknownst to you, your four-legged friend may have picked it up elsewhere.
