Updated: Nov 21, 2023
Dear Pet Owners,
We hope this message finds you and your furry family members well. We want to inform you about a recent health concern affecting our beloved canine companions. There is an emerging respiratory disease spreading among dogs, and we believe it is essential to keep you informed so you can take the best care of your pets.
What We Know: Symptoms: Dogs affected by this illness may show a loss of appetite, lethargy, nasal discharge and a cough. Some dogs have a cough for a prolonged period of time (6-8 weeks) and some develop pneumonia. There have been dogs who develop an acute illness and die but fortunately that is not common.
Spread: Direct contact and through airborne particles. Human hand and clothing they also.
Response to Treatment: Traditional treatments for kennel cough, such as doxycycline, have not been effective. However, other antibiotics might be showing better results.
Preventive Measures: To protect your pet, it is crucial to avoid dog-to-dog contact if your pet is coughing. We also advise being mindful of the potential for humans to transfer the disease to dogs via hands and clothing.
Action Steps for Pet Owners:
- Be Vigilant: If your dog shows any symptoms like coughing or lethargy, please isolate them from other dogs and contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Vaccination Check: Ensure your pet’s vaccinations, especially for respiratory diseases (like Bordetella and Canine Flu), are up to date. This is particularly important now, as one respiratory infection can make dogs more susceptible to others.
- Boarding and Grooming Caution: With the holiday season approaching, many of us will be boarding or grooming our pets. Please confirm that your boarding or grooming facility checks the vaccination status of all dogs they admit.
Remember: While this situation is concerning there is no need to panic! Our goal is to keep you informed and your pets safe. By taking these precautionary measures, we can all contribute to the well-being of our canine friends.
#PetHealthAlert #CanineWellness #DogCareAwareness #PreventPetIllness #ResponsiblePetOwnership
