A Wyndham senior veterinary nurse is issuing a timely reminder for dog owners to take precautions and protect their pet against kennel cough.
The contagious upper respiratory tract infection damages and irritates the lining of a dogs airways producing a frequent, dry cough.
As warm weather leads more dog owners to local dog parks Wyndham Veterinary Clinic’s senior nurse Jeanette Gough is encouraging people to safeguard their pets.
“It spreads between dogs, so dogs sniffing each other even between a fence…they can transmit it that way,” she said.
“There’s two forms of Kennel Cough, there’s a viral and a bacterial form…but the treatment is the same.
“It’s a reminder for people to ensure that their pets are up to date with vaccinations.”
Mr Gough said that while the vaccination won’t guarantee a person’s pet won’t catch the illness, it will make the recovery process much easier.
“If the dog is vaccinated it may not pick up the virus at all, a dog who’s unvaccinated may pick up the virus and become very, very ill,” she said.
“It will reduce the severity of the care that is needed and how long it takes to recover from the virus or bacteria [causing kennel cough].”
A dog experiencing kennel cough might also have a runny nose, seem lethargic, and develop a loss of appetite or low fever.
Ms Gough said it’s important for people with pets displaying symptoms of kennel cough to seek professional attention.
“Be aware of what kennel cough is,” she said.
“When you do make an appointment to see a vet, let them know the reason for the dog coming in because it can help us plan around when we will see that patient.
“If you think your dog has a cough, don’t go down to the dog park and help spread it around everywhere.”
Ms Gough said the virus does not spread to humans or cats.
