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Depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's
ability to deal with the infection the signs of infectious
bronchitis can take days or several weeks to disappear.
Dogs can catch infectious bronchitis through any contact
with an infected dog. Boarding kennels provide a higher
risk of contact with other dogs and therefore the likelihood
of contacting the disease are much higher. This is the reason
why infectious bronchitis is more commonly known as "Kennel
Cough".
Once a kennels becomes infected there is great difficulty
in getting rid of the disease because of the constant throughput
of incoming susceptible boarders. This is the reason why
some kennels will specifically ask that your dog is vaccinated
against this bacteria.
This condition is never life threatening and the need for
vaccination is not as important as the other diseases which
can prove fatal and which are boosted annually. Nevertheless
patients which are being boarded or perhaps suffer from
heart or respiratory disease should consider protection
from "Kennel Cough".
Unfortunately, this vaccine is administered into the nose
using a special applicator which a number of our patients
are none too thrilled to experience! Our nursing staff have
become quite skilled in the handling of unco-operative patients
to allow us to complete the task!
"Lucy" Lewis of Field Close, Hinckley like practically
all of her breed (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) are always
a pleasure to treat as they offer very little resistance!
Unfortunately, for this breed, heart disease is also a very
common problem and "Lucy" is currently under treatment
for this. The value of "Kennel cough" vaccination
whilst she is in kennels therefore has an additional benefit.
"Lucy" will be more likely to enjoy her "holiday"
whilst her owners are away on theirs!
Terry
Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS
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