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Kennel Cough
 
Canine Influenza
 
What can pet owners do to protect their dog's health
 
  1. Make sure your pet is following a vaccine schedule as recommended by a veterinarian. Although there is no vaccine for canine influenza, there are vaccinations that decrease the likelihood and severity of other canine respiratory infections.  vaccination against "Kennel Cough" is generally indicated for dogs at risk for exposure to lots of other dogs, for example dogs that are going to stay at a boarding kennel or doggie day care, participate in agility, dog shows, etc.  Vaccines should be given at least a week before exposure, and may need to be boostered as often as every six months.
  2. If you board your pet, make sure that the kennel is clean and well maintained, and has a plan for immediately isolating and caring for any dogs that develop signs of "Kennel Cough" or other disease in a completely separate area (at least 50 feet from healthy dogs or with a separate air supply).
  3. Don't take your pet to dog parks or other places with lots of dogs is he or she has signs of kennel cough or other infectious disease, and for two weeks after recovery.
  4. Make sure your pet has current ID tags with your address as well as phone number clearly displayed.  This will ensure that the animal can be returned promptly to you in the event of an escape, and will prevent exposure to kennel cough in an animal shelter.  Microchip your animal is a great way to insure that your animal can be identified as your pet, veterinarians and most animal shelters can now scan almost any chip, you will need to ensure you keep your information current.
  5. Keep you pet in overall good health.  Until such time as a vaccine is developed, a strong immune system will be your dog's best defense against infection.

 

Notes on aerosol transmission

 

Aerosol transmission may play a significant role in the spread of canine influenza.  Spread may be similar to that of  other highly contagious canine repiratory infections such as canine distemper, transmission of which has been observed over distances of up to 20 feet, even from non-coughing dogs (personal communication, Max Appel, Cornell University, 2005).