WARNING - Kennel Cough Outbreak in Lancashire
Lancashire 14th September 2010
Here at the Oakhill and Abbey Veterinary Centres in Preston, our Vets have noticed a steady increase in the number of coughing dogs presented over the last 2-3 weeks. The first few cases were dogs that had recently spent time in kennels, but unfortunately we are now seeing cases where the infected dogs haven't been in kennels.
‘Kennel cough' or ‘Infectious Bronchitis' to give it a better name is caused by a variety of infectious bacteria and viruses which pass easily from dog to dog. Most dog owners are aware that their pet can be infected in kennels (although most kennels now request that all boarders must have had the kennel cough vaccination). But many dog owners are unaware of the now quite high risk of their dog contracting the infection in the park or just walking up the street.
Oakhill & Abbey Veterinary Centre Partner Ian Chadwick said, "Whilst we can treat the worst of the cough with antibiotics, dogs with serious kennel cough can have a protracted harsh cough and can be left with airway damage leaving them more prone to future episodes. It is clearly much better to try to prevent the infection in the first place."
Infected dogs also need to be kept isolated from other dogs until there has been no coughing for at least seven to ten days and all kennels, crates, dishes and the like will need to be cleaned vigorously with disinfectants and allowed to dry thoroughly before next use.
There is an intra nasal vaccine now available which lasts for a full 12 months and protects against the most serious bacteria [Bordetella bronchiseptica] and virus [parainfluenza]. Whilst this can't stop your dog catching every single cough, it means that dogs that do still develop a cough have a much milder version that doesn't linger as long and they generally make a full recovery.
We would urge anybody with a dog that hasn't had the ‘KC' vaccine in the last 12 months, to contact their normal branch to book an appointment to have the vaccination done before any cough is contracted. This advice is even more urgent if your dog is due to go in kennels in the near future.