CANINE COUGH

Canine Cough is a contagious condition affecting the respiratory tract of dogs. It is characterised by a persistent, hoarse cough. It can be caused by several airborne bacteria and viruses, however, the bacteria Bordetella Bronchiseptica and Canine Parainfluenza are thought to be the main causes of Canine Cough. Symptoms may also be associated with exposure to certain environmental factors, including irritants such as dust and excessive barking.

Dogs are most commonly affected after interaction with other dogs, with the incubation period varying from a few days to a couple of weeks. The term “Kennel Cough” is actually quite misleading in that many dogs will come into contact with the causative agents in environments other than a boarding kennel. These include the local park, dog training classes and contact with stray dogs. For this reason many Veterinarians now prefer to use the term “Canine Cough” to describe the disease.

While a vaccine is mandatory at the Maraboon Pet Resort to help prevent your dog contracting Canine Cough, it is important to understand that these vaccines are only partially protective. The vaccine aims to prevent your dog from developing the more severe forms of the disease caused by Canine Parainfluenza Type 2 virus and the Bordetella Bronchiseptica bacterium, however, vaccinated dogs are still at risk from the other infectious agents and environmental factors that have been implicated in the syndrome. Although these less severe cases tend to resolve spontaneously after a few days, cough suppressants or antibiotics may occasionally be necessary where symptoms are persistent.

Much like the situation where a child is at risk of contracting a cold or flu at Day Care or school, canine resorts do present a possible risk to your dog with regard to Canine Cough. Such infection can occur despite vaccination, strict hygiene standards and all due care and attention. All possible hygiene, health and safety procedures are carried out here at Maraboon Pet Resort with the utmost importance. Therefore any treatment costs associated with a Canine Cough diagnosis, will not be paid for by MPR.

Please contact your local veterinary clinic for more information.

Informative Notice about Canine Cough - Updated November 2020

Several cases of Canine Cough have been reported or seen throughout Emerald and local areas. Canine Cough being much like a human cold and is passed from dog to dog as it is an airborne virus. We ask that you try not to take your dog to local dog parks or interact with other non family dogs within 10 days of a booking to reduce the risk of your pet contracting this virus and passing onto fellow boarders. Although your pet is vaccinated they can still contract Canine Cough, just like humans can still get a cold even after receiving a flu shot. We will not accept any pets showing signs on arrival and should your pet show signs during their stay we will arrange vet treatment at the owners cost. As it is a virus passed from dog to dog, we try to do everything possible to help prevent the spread but no amount of sterilization can stop a pet contracting it, but it does help reduce the chances. For more information please contact our office on (07) 4987 7748.

More In depth information about Canine Cough

Canine cough as you would have read in the letter attached to your confirmation email is one of the most common respiratory diseases in dogs and is highly contagious, due to being an airborne virus (see below for the letter you would have previously received). Dogs can become infected with Canine Cough wherever they gather, such as in parks, dog runs, obedience classes, dog shows, Vet surgery’s, walking your pet, your neighbour's or a stray dog (even if asymptomatic) , or kennels. Even if your dog is vaccinated there is still some risk of infections. No amount of supervision, sanitation, or personalized care can prevent a dog from “catching” an airborne virus. All that a good boarding kennel can do is to strongly recommend immunisation against tracheobronchitis, refuse to board any obviously sick dog, listen and watch for any signs of sickness, and make sure that any dog requiring veterinary attention receives it as quickly as possible.

We have all become suddenly aware there is no straight answers when it comes to how viruses act.  Certain highly contagious viruses are almost impossible to trace and irradiate.  In the animal industry we are much more limited in the diagnostic tests available which makes outbreaks in our industry so much harder to control.  For example, a dog with parainfluenza alone may not appear ill, yet is contagious.

Additionally to this you will have read that it can take up to 10 days from when the pets contracts the virus before showing any signs. I will mention that the letter attached to your confirmation email is sent out all year just as a notification but until a pet shows signs or we are notified by an owner we can only now try take additional steps to control this from spreading any more.

FYI the entire kennel building is cleaned at least once a day with high grade disinfectants, then cleaned the rest of the day as needed for any soiling in kennels.  The kennels are also sprayed with a disinfectant that is designed to kill viruses and bacteria called F10.  Every day food bowls are cleaned and sanitized.  Every day the yards are cleaned and faecal material is disposed into a processing machine.

Our staff are vigilant at cleanliness.  We also use a fogging machine that distributes a large F10 mist over entire indoor and outdoor areas twice weekly to further disinfect our facility, but during know outbreaks in our area we do this daily.  Many more processes are in place to ensure we make our kennels as safe as possible. 

We ensure EVERY pets is fully vaccinated when they come for boarding and NO EXCEPTIONS are made.  We do not take any sick animals for boarding.  If you pet becomes ill during its stay you will be notified and where possible will be asked to pick up your pet.  If this is not possible you pets will be place in an isolation area, and there will be increased costs associated with this.  As extra effort and cleaning are required. 

Canine Cough is very much like a cold that we humans get. Commonly, a running nose and a cough very much the same as dogs in the case of Canine Cough. Canine Cough is treated the same as a human cold, you can wait it out unless becomes worse or can be treated with antibiotics. The same is true that we can’t place blame on any persons (school, hotel, work) should I get a cold as it is in this case with your pet contracting Canine Cough. Not to mention it is unknown as to if she contracted prior to coming in as it can take up to 10 days till shows signs.

Finally I would like to re point out that Canine Cough or tracheobronchitis (NOT Kennel Cough) is by no means the fault of Maraboon Pet Resort and again like a cold is not something your pets contracted due to the care or facilities of our resort but by simply this virus is going around.

Please take the time to read the following links and downloadable documents.

• PIAA Lets Talk About Canine Cough
• Canine Cough - Report

PARVO VIRUS

The Central Highlands is considered a high risk parvo virus environment. This virus is easily preventable by vaccination but can be very difficult to treat if contracted. Parvovirus causes symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting (often severe), and later in the disease, diarrhoea which often contains mucous or blood. Death can be rapid and treatment often needs to be aggressive and often requires intensive care hospitalisation.

Parvo virus is very contagious and it can be spread by faeces or vomit from affected dogs. Dogs that are not showing symptoms can carry the virus and shed it into the environment also. In the environment, Parvo virus may be very resistant. Strong bleach can kill it but if it is present in the soil, it can remain infective FOR MONTHS TO YEARS. High risk areas that are particularly predisposed to carry parvo virus include rental properties and high dog traffic areas including public parks, dams and walkways.

To remain fully protected, puppies require a series of three vaccinations, beginning from 6 weeks of age and spaced 4 weeks apart. At the Maraboon Vet Surgery, our vaccination protocol includes a 1st vaccination at 6 - 8 weeks,  2nd vaccination at 10 – 12 weeks and then the 3rd vaccination at 14 – 16 weeks.. For "at-risk breeds", we may recommend a 4th vaccination at 6 months. Discuss this with your vet to determine whether your pup is an "at risk" breed. It is important to remember that your pup still may become infected with parvovirus any time before his last vaccination. Young pups, "at-risk breeds", (Rottweilers, Dobermans and Greyhounds), and elderly dogs are particularly sensitive to the virus.

The standard vaccine protects against parvo virus, distemper virus and canine hepatitis virus and will often include protection against canine infectious tracheitis  (canine cough). Puppies are not considered fully protected against these diseases until one week after the final vaccine. Prior to this time, it is very important to keep your puppy away from high dog traffic areas until he/she if fully protected. This may mean keeping your puppy at home and having training sessions either in a protected area (such as puppy preschool) or with other dogs that are fully vaccinated, in a uninfected parvo area. 

Dogs that have received their initial series of vaccinations need to have an annual booster vaccination to remain fully protected throughout their life.

At the Maraboon Pet Resort, ensuring parvo virus does not enter our premise is a very high priority. This is why we require all dogs to be vaccinated against parvo (C5 minimum which includes the parvo component). Vaccination certificates are to be sighted upon admission or prior to staying at the resort, so make sure you bring this with you. For all adult dogs, vaccinations must be up to date and given at least 7 days prior to staying with us. This will ensure the protection of your dog whilst they stay with us. For puppies, the full series of vaccinations must have been completed at least 14 days prior to staying with us. This means that puppies must be at least 18 weeks of age to stay with us. Please be aware that puppy vaccinations may be identified as C4 and BB oral/nasal which is the equivalent of a C5 vaccination and is accepted by us. We are therefore unable to accept any dogs or puppies onto our premise who are not up to date with their vaccinations. 

For more information, please contact your veterinary clinic. 

INTESTINAL WORMING

It is very important to keep up to date with intestinal worming, as any gastrointestinal disease may worsen a parvovirus infection. Pups need to be wormed, for intestinal worms, every two weeks until 3 months of age. They are then wormed every month until 6 months of age when you start their lifetime routine of worming every three months.

HEARTWORM

We would also like to take this opportunity to tell you about heartworm. This worm is different from intestinal worms. It is carried by mosquitoes, the larvae develops in the dogs tissue which is then carried by the blood to the heart where it grows to adulthood. This can be fatal. Your puppy can be protected in two ways. You can choose to give a tablet or chew monthly, or you can have your puppy protected using the heart worm injection called the SR12. 

If you choose to give your puppy tablets for heartworm, there is a tablet that covers both the heartworm and intestinal worms. This tablet has to be given monthly. A good idea is to give the tablet on the same day each month.

If you choose to give your pup the heartworm injection, this will be given when they are 12 weeks old. Your puppy is still growing so they will need to be given a booster three months later, at approximately 6 months of age, which correlates with the recommended age to de-sex your pup. Your pup will then only need to have a yearly Proheart SR12 booster, when coming in for their yearly vaccinations.