Let's Talk About Kennel Cough

With Kennel Cough season upon us, it's important that you understand this small risk of having your dog around other pets. While the pros of socializing your pet far outweigh whatever risk Kennel Cough might pose, it's important to us that all our doggy parents understand this basic illness.

What is Kennel Cough, anyway?
Kennel Cough is very much like the common cold for humans. While there is a vaccine for Kennel Cough, which we require all our canine guests to be up-to-date on, it is rather ineffective at fully preventing infection, but might help.

What are the symptoms of kennel cough?
The most obvious symptom of kennel cough is a dry, hacking cough.Some dogs experience a decrease in energy and/or appetite as well.

How might my dog get kennel cough?
Kennel Cough, like the common cold, is very contagious. Your dog might get it by direct contact with an infected dog, contact with an infected item, or by breathing it in airborne. Very young puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with an otherwise compromised immune system are more likely to show symptoms. The more dogs are exposed to other dogs, the more their immune system has a chance of building a defense against illness. It is generally the young, the old, and the underexposed that we see show symptoms. There is absolutely no way to socialize your pet with zero rick of kennel cough.

What do I do if my dog gets kennel cough?
If your dog is showing the symptoms of kennel cough, the best idea is usually to let it run its course. Within a week, most dogs are on the mend and good as new. Very seldom, and typically in very young or very old dogs, Kennel cough can advance to a respiratory infection which vets may prescribe antibiotics for. In either case, it's important they drink plenty of fresh water, and are kept in a warm, comfortable place. We always recommend using a natural supplement with immune-system boosting qualities any time dogs might be ill such as Goldenseal/ Echinacia or even Vitamin C.

What Does Ruff House do to prevent my dog from getting Kennel Cough in their care?
There is no way to completely prevent a dog from getting kennel cough unless he is never allowed to leave the house, and visitors are never allowed over. Kennel Cough is airborne. It is contagious. That being said, we take many preventative measures to help prevent the spread of illness in our facility.

1. Our facility is cleaned top to bottom all day long. This includes the outdoor doggy turf, the floors, walls, kennels, and furniture. We also wash our toys on a regular basis.
2. We require all our guests to be appropriately vaccinated.
3. We never allow any dogs showing any signs of illness to join us.
4. Should a dog show any symptoms while in our care, they are immediately isolated, and someone is contacted to come pick the dog up. If no one is available to do so, the dog is transported to the vet.
5. Any urine or fecal matter is cleaned up immediately.
6. We use food grade peroxide in our water bowls to cleanse the water and help prevent spread of illness that way.
7. Food bowls are washed between every use.
8. Kennels are deep cleaned between boarding guests, and throughout the week.

Despite all these precautions, it is simply impossible to completely prevent all dogs from getting kennel cough, especially this time of year. Just like kids will bring a cold home from school at some point, most dogs that are properly socialized will at some point catch a cold. We do ask that if your dog ever goes home and shows signs of kennel cough that you alert us immediately so that we can we on extra close watch, and inform our guests whom are more apt to get it such as young puppies or senior dogs.