\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWinnipeg is experiencing an epidemic of kennel cough at the moment, with warnings being issued through most of the media.<\/p>\n
Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection that can be viral or bacterial in nature and in many cases is both. Many dogs are vaccinated for bordetella, the bacteria associated with kennel cough, but this does not mean you should be lax in your prevention measures. <\/p>\n
We are pretty inundated with information about how to stop the spread of respiratory viruses today.<\/p>\n
Preventing the spread of kennel cough is very similar to what we are living in the age of COVID-19. It can be spread by contact, aerosol droplets, or by sharing the toys or water bowls of infected animals.<\/p>\n
Symptoms include a strong cough (almost like a honking goose), runny nose, sneezing, low fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. Your dog does not need to have all the symptoms to be sick, so any of these should give you cause to seek the advice of a vet.<\/p>\n
When visiting dog parks, try to limit the exposure of your dog to others, especially if the other dog is symptomatic. The best prevention is to eliminate interaction with other dogs altogether and finding alternate places to exercise. These places will require, in most cases, that you keep your dog on leash, which is a good precaution anyway. It allows you to control your dog’s interactions.<\/p>\n
If you choose to use off-leash parks anyway, please do not bring your dog if it is symptomatic, and please do not use or leave out communal water dishes. Many dog parks have banned their use and have taken up the bowls, only to have well-intentioned people replace them.<\/p>\n
Yes, hydration is very important right now, in the midst of a heat wave, but please be a responsible pet parent and bring your own water and drinking vessels.<\/p>\n
We are dealing with kennel cough at home right now and our Lab puppy Rey was not yet vaccinated for kennel cough because she was given other vaccines on each of her previous pet visits.<\/p>\n
Our older Frenchie, Leia, has been vaccinated. We use Maple Grove Park (wonderful place, wonderful people) for daily exercise, which Rey needs and Leia tolerates. The park recently announced the outbreak, told users that communal water bowls would be removed, and requested that they not be replaced.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, someone had replaced the communal bowls and, before we noticed, our dogs were using them. We aren’t 100 per cent sure if this is where they were infected, but it seems the most likely vector, considering the timing.<\/p>\n
Rey is still acting like a puppy but has coughing fits (like a goose) and is presenting us with large, gross nasal discharges. Leia, who has respiratory issues to begin with, got it even though she had been vaccinated. So, now both are on antibiotics and restricted to the yard. <\/p>\n
If your dog does become symptomatic, please call your vet. They have inexpensive antibiotics that are very effective. On top of those, at your vet’s instructions, you can use immune-supporting products. Failing to address the issue can lead to it worsening into pneumonia.<\/p>\n
For young, healthy dogs, kennel cough can run its course in about a week or two, and it is wise to isolate your dog from others for about two weeks. Whether your dog is young and healthy or older and more susceptible, keep close watch on progression of any cough and be ready to seek veterinary help.<\/p>\n
Our dogs won’t be wearing non-medical face masks anytime soon, but if we use what we’ve learned about social distancing and sanitation, hopefully we won’t lose any of our treasured pets to this epidemic.<\/p>