We do everything we can…but sometimes canine cough happens!

As the owners of a kennel, our predominant health concern is canine cough and communicating information about the illness to our pet owners. All of our clients have experienced our strict adherence to our vaccination policies, whether it was on their first visit or when due for an update. We do not allow pups into the facility that are not current on all required vaccinations. These vaccines include Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, and Bordetella vaccine for canine cough.

Most veterinarians recommend the Bordetella vaccination if you are going to be boarding your pet. But now that we are able to take our dogs so many places, we have to think of the many opportunities, not just boarding, that our dogs have to encounter the illness. Like the human flu shot, the Bordetella vaccination is not 100% effective. This is because it covers the more common strain of illness that causes canine cough but not all known and unknown strains. Because of this, our pups cannot be 100% protected anytime they encounter other dogs, whether that be for a few moments on a walk, in a pet store, at the park, or even the Vet’s office.

That being said, we know that there is a greater chance for exposure in a boarding kennel environment. However, the more dogs are around other dogs, the stronger their immunity becomes. Their bodies are better equipped to fight illness as their immune system develops and adapts. That does not mean that some dogs are not going to be susceptible no matter what; like our kids, some pups will get every “bug” that comes along. Also, young dogs and older dogs are not going to have as strong an immunity as healthy adult dogs, so we tend to be more cautious with them. Again, just as our kids grow up and develop stronger immunities, our dogs’ immune systems also tend to get stronger. Fortunately though, if caught early and addressed, canine cough is usually not serious and runs its course in a week or so just like the common cold. It is still a good idea to contact your vet if you see any symptoms of canine cough. Symptoms can include coughing, sneezing, and possibly a runny nose. Your vet will typically prescribe an antibiotic to minimize the chance of any secondary illness arising and if the cough is severe, a cough suppressant. It is also important to let us know if your dog has had any symptoms. Dogs that have had canine cough need to stay home from our facility for two weeks after symptoms have gone away.

At Doggie Depot, we do everything we can to keep contagious illness to a minimum. We will always monitor vaccination expirations, ask about your pup’s recent health, and take the most conservative approach in dealing with potential issues. Unfortunately, no amount of cleaning and sanitization can stop the transmission of an airborne virus. The opportunity that we feel we have with canine cough is to provide information to our clients so that we can work together to recognize the illness and try to minimize exposure. As always, you should check with your veterinarian to provide information to you about your dog’s health.