Canine Kennel Cough
17 August 2009
Can’t the boarding kennel prevent my dog from catching tracheobronchitis (canine cough)?
While the spread of canine cough can be minimized by, an effective cleaning regime, isolating obviously sick animals, and properly ventilating the facility, remember that no amount of supervision, sanitation, or personalized care is guaranteed to be 100% effective against the illness.
All that a good pet care facility can do is recommend immunization against tracheobronchitis, refuse to admit an obviously sick dog, follow responsible cleaning and sanitation practices, listen and watch for any signs of sickness, and make sure that any dog requiring veterinary attention receives it as quickly as possible. (Strangely, the dog with parainfluenza alone may not appear ill, yet is contagious).
You have a right to expect a pet care facility to provide the best possible care just as that facility has a right to expect you to accept financial responsibility for such care.
There are 2 types of canine (kennel) cough vaccines available - one is injectable and the other is given intranasally. There are some differences in how they stimulate the immunity and how quickly protection is achieved generally. The intranasal vaccine will provide protection quicker - this is not a comment about the level of protection overall achieved though.
While canine (kennel) cough is a combination of viruses and /or viruses, clinical protection may not be absolute but rather a lessening of clinical signs as also protection provided by a vaccine will depend on what the dog is exposed to.
The ACVM website is a source of information where there is access to the full label information about the vaccines http://www.vetspace.org.nz/apollo-search?s=kennel+cough
All vaccines are registered in NZ and have had to show tests that confirm their efficacy. The differences come down to the smaller details like how quickly the vaccine works and whether dogs should be vaccinated within the past 6 months or 1 year before entering a boarding facility, which may vary depending on the risk (very large kennels with dogs interacting is a much higher risk). Consultation with your veterinary clinic is advisable.
Canine (Kennel cough) is a very contagious disease problem and this is one area that kennel operators do need to be careful. Equally, hygiene and the ability to isolate an infectious dog is as important as ensuring all dogs are vaccinated.
Can’t the boarding kennel prevent my dog from catching tracheobronchitis (canine cough)?
While the spread of canine cough can be minimized by, an effective cleaning regime, isolating obviously sick animals, and properly ventilating the facility, remember that no amount of supervision, sanitation, or personalized care is guaranteed to be 100% effective against the illness.
All that a good pet care facility can do is recommend immunization against tracheobronchitis, refuse to admit an obviously sick dog, follow responsible cleaning and sanitation practices, listen and watch for any signs of sickness, and make sure that any dog requiring veterinary attention receives it as quickly as possible. (Strangely, the dog with parainfluenza alone may not appear ill, yet is contagious).
You have a right to expect a pet care facility to provide the best possible care just as that facility has a right to expect you to accept financial responsibility for such care.
There are 2 types of canine (kennel) cough vaccines available - one is injectable and the other is given intranasally. There are some differences in how they stimulate the immunity and how quickly protection is achieved generally. The intranasal vaccine will provide protection quicker - this is not a comment about the level of protection overall achieved though.
While canine (kennel) cough is a combination of viruses and /or viruses, clinical protection may not be absolute but rather a lessening of clinical signs as also protection provided by a vaccine will depend on what the dog is exposed to.
The ACVM website is a source of information where there is access to the full label information about the vaccines http://www.vetspace.org.nz/apollo-search?s=kennel+cough
All vaccines are registered in NZ and have had to show tests that confirm their efficacy. The differences come down to the smaller details like how quickly the vaccine works and whether dogs should be vaccinated within the past 6 months or 1 year before entering a boarding facility, which may vary depending on the risk (very large kennels with dogs interacting is a much higher risk). Consultation with your veterinary clinic is advisable.
Canine (Kennel cough) is a very contagious disease problem and this is one area that kennel operators do need to be careful. Equally, hygiene and the ability to isolate an infectious dog is as important as ensuring all dogs are vaccinated.