Canine Cough Info
Canine Cough FAQs
Some answers to questions you may have about Canine Cough
Canine Cough Information
What is Canine Cough (a.k.a. Kennel Cough)?
Canine Cough or Kennel Cough is the common name given to infectious bronchitis in dogs. Just like human chest infections, a number of different bacteria and viruses can cause the illness. It is normally a combination of both and it affects the respiratory system, causing dogs to cough.
How do dogs get Canine Cough?
Dogs can spread it to one another through airborne droplets, direct contact (e.g., touching noses), or contaminated surfaces (including water/food bowls). Because Canine Cough is airborne it is highly contagious, which is why it can spread
quickly throughout boarding kennels, dog parks, dog friendly cafes, groomers and areas where dogs are walked. Dogs can even contract Canine Cough at home from neighbouring dogs or dogs that walk past the house.
At HDC, our daily routine includes cleaning the facility to minimise the risk of transmission via contaminated surfaces, but we cannot prevent transmission via airborne droplets or direct contact when the dogs socialise and interact when moving within the facility.
If my dog is vaccinated, can it still get Canine Cough?
Dogs that are vaccinated can still get Canine Cough, but generally have milder symptoms than if they were not vaccinated.
What is your Vaccination Policy?
All dogs that enter our facility must have a current C5 vaccination (this equates to a C3/C4 + Kennel Cough vaccination). We will need to sight a copy of their vaccination certificate before they can enter.
If your dog's vaccinations have lapsed by more than 2 weeks, they will need to wait 2 weeks after they are vaccinated again before they can come in.
Puppies must have completed their full three-dose course of puppy vaccinations and wait at least 2 weeks after their final dose before they can come in.
Some Canine Cough vaccines give protection after 72 hours however the vaccinations will not prevent a bout of Canine Cough that was picked up shortly before the vaccination was given, which is why we enforce a two week wait after puppy vaccinations or overdue vaccinations.
Our Vaccination Policy is not negotiable.
What are the symptoms of Canine Cough?
Symptoms can take between 2 days and 14 days to develop and can include:
- dry, hacking cough
- gagging or vomiting after excitement or ingestion of food
- eye and nasal discharge
- sneezing and snorting
- fever and lethargy.
Please note that dogs are infectious prior to symptoms being evident. Some dogs can be asymptomatic or have symptoms that are so mild their owners may not even know that they currently have or previously had canine cough. Therefore there is a risk that dogs can transit through the facility at any time without staff knowing they are infectious.
What do I do if my dog starts to cough?
It is always important for you to have a good relationship with your vet and you should call them to discuss your dog's symptoms or any concerns you have. In some cases, dogs will recover from Canine Cough without treatment. To assist recovery, ensure your home is well-ventilated. Avoid using a collar and lead as any pulling might aggravate the dog’s windpipe further. Using a harness is better during recovery. Your vet may prescribe medication to assist your dog's recovery.
If your dog has developed a cough after being with us for boarding or daycare, please call and let our staff know. It is really important that we get a clear picture of any cases that have developed.
My dog has recently had Canine Cough. Can I bring my dog to Hunter Dog Centre?
If your dog has had Canine Cough, they must stay isolated at home for a period of 2 weeks after they have had their last symptom. This unfortunately means that dogs can not come in for boarding or daycare during this time and should not go to dog parks, dog cafes, groomers or walks in public areas to avoid spreading Canine Cough further in the community.
We screen all dogs on arrival in regards to their health over the previous 14 days. It is important that owners are honest with us with us so we can maintain a healthy environment for all of our clients.