3 Dogs Hotel

30/08/2024

Rainy Day

29/08/2024

Hump Day

28/08/2024

Another fine Finnley day

27/08/2024

Just me and Finnley Day

26/08/2024

Sweet Sunday

25/08/2024

Big Saturday

24/08/2024

Hello Friday

18/08/2024

Saturday

17/08/2024

Fab Friday

16/08/2024

Thirsty Thursday

15/08/2024

Happy pups

14/08/2024

Cuties on Tuesday

13/08/2024

Hot Hot Day

12/08/2024

Mellow Sunday

11/08/2024

A Good day

10/08/2024

Back in action

05/08/2024

Sunday Funday

04/08/2024

Cricket making a nest. ❤

04/08/2024

Hot day at the Hotel

03/08/2024

And...it's the weekend!

02/08/2024

Thursday fun

02/08/2024

Dogs can contract a respiratory virus anywhere. Dog parks, day care, even at the Vet's office. It is airborne and really hard to control.

Today I want to talk to you about something very sensitive in the pet industry and dispel some common myths and misconceptions about it. Something that has caused clients to quit using a pet professional or business entirely. Something that we have nearly no control over. I’m talking about CIRDC (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex) or more commonly known as the two dirty little words, Kennel Cough.

The main symptom of kennel cough is a strong cough that may sound like your dog is trying to clear something from their throat or retching, they will sound a lot like a honking goose when they cough. They can also have a runny nose or sneezing and just feel a bit blah. So now we know what it looks and sounds like, but what now?

First we need to understand what kennel cough is. Simply put, kennel cough is a very broad term used to describe any of a myriad of illnesses of the upper respiratory system in dogs. It can be caused by a number of bacteria or viruses including Bordetella, parainfluenza, canine coronavirus, herpesvirus, adenovirus, and mycoplasma.

Myth-Kennel cough is caused by a dirty facility.

Truth-Kennel cough is spread through airborne droplets released when dogs cough or sneeze, as well as through direct contact with an infected dog or contaminated objects like shared food or water bowls. Think about how easy it is for a cold to spread in a school, kennel cough is the canine equivalent of a cold.

Myth-cleaning better prevents the spread of kennel cough.

Truth-We can take precautions but unfortunately there is no real way to completely prevent it. We can refuse services to dogs showing symptoms such as coughing. We can wipe down all surfaces and not allow nose to nose contact with other dogs. The fastest way it is spread is by air though, and no amount of disinfectant can remove airborne bacteria or viruses.

Myth-only visibly sick dogs can spread kennel cough.

Truth-Dogs can carry kennel cough and spread it to other dogs without showing any symptoms. In fact, most dogs with kennel cough are contagious before they start showing signs. This can make the disease difficult to control and it can spread quickly. Again, think about how quickly a cold spreads in a school.

Myth-the kennel cough vaccination prevents kennel cough so only unvaccinated dogs get sick.

Truth-The bordetella, or kennel cough, vaccination covers a large number of the causes for kennel cough, but not all of them. So even though your dog may be vaccinated for respiratory virus’s A B & C with their bordetella vaccination, if they encounter, for example, respiratory virus D or bacteria G they will get sick with kennel cough.

After exposure, symptoms can take as little as 2 days up to 14 days to develop and can last between one and three weeks. To be safe it’s best to avoid taking your dog around other dogs for 10-14 days after the cough has stopped to avoid infecting other dogs. Kennel cough is usually not dangerous and normally clears up without treatment within a few weeks. However, puppies, elderly dogs, and those with existing medical conditions can be susceptible to complications, such as pneumonia. If your dog's cough persists or they also have a reduced appetite, less energy than normal, or a high temperature, you should always talk to your vet.

This post was brought to you by a little black and white spaniel who brought kennel cough home from her last dog show and is now in quarantine with the rest of the family for a couple weeks.

I will share a short video clip in the comments of what that distinctive kennel cough honking cough sounds like.

Please share this post with your friends who have dogs who may be exposed to kennel cough to help them understand how and why it occurs.

01/08/2024

I zip tied the water hose and put it on mist. Yeah we are damp, but cool!

01/08/2024

Hump day!

31/07/2024

Another hot day

30/07/2024