Upper Respiratory Illness
Just like sickness can spread through a children's daycare or school, upper respiratory bugs can make their way through dog daycares too. Most often these illnesses are similar to a cold for people. While upper respiratory illnesses are generally not too serious for healthy dogs, they can be quite contagious.
Because dogs can be contagious before symptoms appear, most regular campers have been exposed by the time we hear of a confirmed case. Incubation periods also mean it may take several weeks before we are fully clear of cases.
All campers are vaccinated for Bordetella, but much like the flu or Covid shot for people, not all strains of contagious coughs are covered by the vaccine. Not all dogs who attend Camp will get sick, and healthy dogs can continue to attend.
We will continue to keep up with our cleaning, and will monitor the group closely. If your dog is showing signs of sickness, we will call you to pick them up. Let us know if you see signs at home and do not bring dogs to camp who are clearing their throat excessively, coughing, gagging or retching. Please keep any siblings home if direct exposure seems likely.
Additional information below!
Because dogs can be contagious before symptoms appear, most regular campers have been exposed by the time we hear of a confirmed case. Incubation periods also mean it may take several weeks before we are fully clear of cases.
All campers are vaccinated for Bordetella, but much like the flu or Covid shot for people, not all strains of contagious coughs are covered by the vaccine. Not all dogs who attend Camp will get sick, and healthy dogs can continue to attend.
We will continue to keep up with our cleaning, and will monitor the group closely. If your dog is showing signs of sickness, we will call you to pick them up. Let us know if you see signs at home and do not bring dogs to camp who are clearing their throat excessively, coughing, gagging or retching. Please keep any siblings home if direct exposure seems likely.
Additional information below!
Kennel Cough Fact Sheet
What is “Kennel Cough”?
“Kennel Cough” is the common name for a contagious upper respiratory illness in dogs. Occasionally the term kennel cough and Bordetella are used interchangeably, but not all coughing in dogs is caused by the Bordetella bacteria. A contagious cough can be caused by a virus, bacteria or a combination of the two. As a result, vaccines provide added protection, but may not totally prevent infection. Kennel cough is commonly seen in dogs that are exposed to many other dogs in places such as animal shelters, dog parks, daycares or boarding kennels. Kennel cough is “species specific,” meaning it infects only dogs and puppies, not cats or humans.
How is it transmitted?
Kennel cough is transferred between dogs by fluid discharge from the mouth or nose of an infected dog, similar to that of the common cold in humans. Dogs can shed the virus through the air by sneezing, coughing, or breathing; or direct physical contact with other dogs, cages, toys, food bowls, even the hands and clothes of people handling them. Some dogs may be “silent carriers” carrying and spreading the virus without showing symptoms of the disease themselves. Because dogs can spread the disease before symptoms are present in a group setting, it is possible for high exposure rates.
What are the signs?
The most common symptom of kennel cough is a dry cough sometimes described as “honking” and in some cases a gagging cough. (Many times, people think their dog is trying to clear something from their throat.) The cough is often brought on by excitement, exercise or pressure on the dog’s trachea, such as that produced by the leash. Some dogs will only exhibit a runny nose or green nasal discharge. Affected dogs are usually otherwise alert and active, with a healthy appetite and no fever. In some cases, kennel cough may progress to sinus infection or pneumonia. In these cases, dogs will cough up mucus, have nasal discharge, have difficulty breathing, run a fever, lose their appetite, and become depressed.
How is Kennel cough treated?
Kennel cough is a “self limiting” disease, meaning that in most dogs it will go away in 5 to 10 days without treatment. In some cases antibiotics are prescribed to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections that may accompany the infection. Occasionally a cough suppressant may be prescribed to make the dog feel better and to decrease throat irritation. In rare cases, kennel cough may progress to pneumonia, requiring more intense medical therapy and hospitalization.
How is kennel cough prevented?
Kennel cough cannot be totally prevented in group environments. Sanitation programs, health evaluations, isolation of sick animals, and preventive health care all play a part in the control of Kennel Cough.
“Kennel Cough” is the common name for a contagious upper respiratory illness in dogs. Occasionally the term kennel cough and Bordetella are used interchangeably, but not all coughing in dogs is caused by the Bordetella bacteria. A contagious cough can be caused by a virus, bacteria or a combination of the two. As a result, vaccines provide added protection, but may not totally prevent infection. Kennel cough is commonly seen in dogs that are exposed to many other dogs in places such as animal shelters, dog parks, daycares or boarding kennels. Kennel cough is “species specific,” meaning it infects only dogs and puppies, not cats or humans.
How is it transmitted?
Kennel cough is transferred between dogs by fluid discharge from the mouth or nose of an infected dog, similar to that of the common cold in humans. Dogs can shed the virus through the air by sneezing, coughing, or breathing; or direct physical contact with other dogs, cages, toys, food bowls, even the hands and clothes of people handling them. Some dogs may be “silent carriers” carrying and spreading the virus without showing symptoms of the disease themselves. Because dogs can spread the disease before symptoms are present in a group setting, it is possible for high exposure rates.
What are the signs?
The most common symptom of kennel cough is a dry cough sometimes described as “honking” and in some cases a gagging cough. (Many times, people think their dog is trying to clear something from their throat.) The cough is often brought on by excitement, exercise or pressure on the dog’s trachea, such as that produced by the leash. Some dogs will only exhibit a runny nose or green nasal discharge. Affected dogs are usually otherwise alert and active, with a healthy appetite and no fever. In some cases, kennel cough may progress to sinus infection or pneumonia. In these cases, dogs will cough up mucus, have nasal discharge, have difficulty breathing, run a fever, lose their appetite, and become depressed.
How is Kennel cough treated?
Kennel cough is a “self limiting” disease, meaning that in most dogs it will go away in 5 to 10 days without treatment. In some cases antibiotics are prescribed to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections that may accompany the infection. Occasionally a cough suppressant may be prescribed to make the dog feel better and to decrease throat irritation. In rare cases, kennel cough may progress to pneumonia, requiring more intense medical therapy and hospitalization.
How is kennel cough prevented?
Kennel cough cannot be totally prevented in group environments. Sanitation programs, health evaluations, isolation of sick animals, and preventive health care all play a part in the control of Kennel Cough.