Canine cough is an important and serious topic. I have included this information on our website so you can easily access it when you need to. Most of the information included here comes from the Pet Care Services Association brochure “Let's Talk About Canine Cough”. We have printed copies of this brochure in our lobby. You can also find a printed copy in your camper's first day packet.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

One of the public relations problems for pet care facilities continues to be a much misunderstood disease in dogs called “canine cough,” tracheobronchitis, or often improperly referred to as “kennel cough.” As a dog owner you should be aware of some of the facts about this disease.

WHAT IS “CANINE COUGH?”

Infectious tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious, upper-respiratory disease that is spread by any one of three infectious agents (parainfluenza, adenovirus, or Bordetella) or any combination thereof—most often passed on through the air, it can also be transmitted on hands or clothing. The incubation period of the disease is roughly three to ten days and an infected pet may be contagious for three weeks after showing the first signs of illness. The main symptom is a hacking cough, sometimes accompanied by sneezing and nasal discharge, which can last from a few days to several weeks. Although this coughing is very annoying, it does not usually develop into anything more serious; however, just as with a common cold, it can lower the dog’s resistance to other diseases making it susceptible to secondary infections, and so the dog must be observed closely to avoid complications. Canine cough can be an especially serious problem for puppies and geriatric dogs whose immune systems may be weaker.

HOW IS IT CURED?

Just as in the case of the common cold, tracheobronchitis is not “cured” but must run its course; however, any animal displaying signs of the illness should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Many times antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent secondary infection, and sometimes cough suppressants will be prescribed to reduce excessive coughing, but these medications do not attack the disease itself. Home remedy treatments for canine cough without the consultation of a veterinarian are not recommended.

CAN MY DOG BE VACCINATED TO PROTECT HIM FROM CANINE COUGH?

Yes! Vaccines against parainfluenza and adenovirus type 2 (in combination with other vaccines) are routinely used as part of an adult dog’s yearly checkup. Puppies are usually vaccinated for these in combination with distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus in a series of immunizations. Specific, non-routine vaccines are also available for Bordetella bronchiseptica (another cause of canine cough). Although some veterinary practices do not use this vaccination routinely, it should be considered for pets that board, visit a daycare frequently, or for those whose veterinarian recommends it. It is important to note that the vaccines that are used to prevent this viral disease are made from only one of the over 100 different strains of the virus and therefore are not as effective against some strains as others. Some strains are not included in any vaccine; therefore, there is no prevention against them. Your veterinarian is in the best position to recommend a program of preventative health care management depending on your pet’s needs. In most cases, veterinarians recommend that you obtain vaccinations for canine cough five to seven days before taking your dog to a pet care facility.

ARE THESE VIRUSES A CONSTANT PROBLEM?

No. Tracheobronchitis, like the flu, is often seasonal – mainly due to the fact that the busiest seasons for pet care facilities tend to be summertime or over holiday periods. It also tends to be epidemic. When veterinarians begin to see cases, they normally come from every pet care facility in town, as well as from individual dog owners whose dogs did not visit a facility at all. When the outbreak is over, they might not see another case for months.

DOES CANINE COUGH OCCUF ONLY IN PET CARE FACILITIES?

No. Since these viruses can be present anywhere, and can travel for considerable distances through the air, they can affect any dog, even one that never leaves its own back yard. But tracheobronchitis is more likely to occur when the concentration of dogs is greater such as at dog shows, kennels, dog daycares, veterinarian offices and hospitals as well as pet shops. Dogs can also be exposed while running loose or while being walked near other dogs, or playing in the park.

ARE THE CHANGES OF CATCHING IT GREATER WHEN A DOG IS IN A BOARDING KENNEL OR DAYCARE?

Yes. Because, in any pet care facility, a dog encounters two conditions that do not usually exist at home; proximity to a number of potentially contagious dogs, and the stress and excitement of a less familiar environment, which can result in lower resistance to disease (these same factors explain why children are more likely to catch the flu at school, rather than at home). But the more frequently a dog visits a pet care facility, the greater are the chances that it will acquire immunity to the disease. Even during a widespread breakout, only a fairly small percentage of exposed dogs are affected.

CAN THE BOARDING KENNEL OR DAYCARE PREVENT MY DOG FROM CATCHING CANINE COUGH?

While the spread of canine cough can be minimized by proper cleaning, 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.

OUR POLICY ON BORDETELLA VACCINE

We require every camper to receive Bordetella vaccine before visiting. Your dog may receive either the intranasal or the injectable vaccine. It must be renewed EVERY SIX MONTHS, regardless of your veterinarian's policy, regardless of how it is administered.

Your vet may remind you to get Bordetella vaccine updated annually. We regret we can not compromise our policy for any camper. Because of this, we need to know when your dog received Bordetella vaccine, not when it should be renewed. Please check with us if you are not sure if your dog needs another administration of Bordetella vaccine before a planned visit.

Bordetella vaccine takes time to produce the immune response in your dog. Because of this, WE REQUIRE A WAITING PERIOD AFTER RECEIVING BORDETELLA VACCINE BEFORE COMING TO CAMP. We require a waiting period of three days for the intranasal administration and 10 days for the injectable administration. If it is renewed prior to six months, no waiting period is necessary.

Remember that Bordetella vaccine does NOT completely 100% guarantee to prevent canine cough. However, if your dog is diagnosed with canine cough, you may consider contacting the manufacturer of the vaccine. Some have a policy of compensating the cost of veterinary care for canine cough.

OUR POLICY ON CANINE COUGH

Our thorough cleaning and ventilation procedures limit the potential of all infectious agents. Our cleaning products and procedures target pathogens associated with canine illnesses, including canine cough.

Campers with canine cough (or any contagious disease) are not permitted to stay with us. Visiting campers suspected of having canine cough are isolated immediately followed by appropriate action (veterinary attention, treatment, departure from camp). Any camper recovering from canine cough must be symptom free for 10 days before returning to camp.

We do all we can to keep your camper happy, safe and healthy while visiting Camp Bow Wow. As per the Client Agreement on the Camper Application, each client is fully responsible for any and all veterinary care for their dog.

SOME GOOD NEWS

Did you know that Camp Bow Wow and the Center for Companion Animal Studies at Colorado State University Veterinarian School are Initiating a Canine Cough Collaborative Study to Create a Better Kennel Cough Vaccine? It's True!

The Center for Companion Animal Studies is one of the top research centers for dogs in the world! Their incredible staff of research scientists and practicing veterinarians have joined with Camp Bow Wow to launch a landmark nationwide study to research the widespread canine cough and canine influenza outbreaks and hopefully strive for a much more effective vaccination for our furry friends!!

Canine cough syndrome has a variety of causes including infectious agents, allergies, and irritants. Little is known about some of the infectious agents and studies have been limited in the past by failure to perform a consistent diagnostic evaluation of all affected dogs.

The need for a much improved vaccination is increasing rapidly. The potential for infectious disease transfer among client-owned dogs is increasing as well due to more dog socializing at dog parks, neighborhood get togethers, dog day cares and dog friendly hiking trails. Canine cough is highly contagious and hard to prevent. In addition, there is a great need for additional information on canine cough syndrome to identify new or evolving infectious agents, improved treatments, and new vaccine targets. The current vaccinations only cover approximately 50% of the current outbreaks! 5-10% of dogs who contract this syndrome will develop more serious secondary infections.

You can help by making a small donation to this effort at Camp or asking your local veterinarian to get involved! Your donation will be joined with donations already made by Mike Monks, owner of Camp Bow Wow Midland Park, and the owners of many other Camp Bow Wow locations. A big dog gone thanks to all of you willing to help us address this troubling illness!