Kennel Cough is an umbrella term for a variety of viruses and bacteria that can cause infectious cough/nasal discharge and congestion in dogs. Bordetella Vaccine is required for all of our boarding patients, but unfortunately, there are other viruses and bacteria that can cause Kennel Cough that there is not a vaccine for.
Like sending children to school or daycare, as pets congregate there is the possibility that an asymptomatic dog could spread disease prior to showing any clinical signs. Our policy is that any pet that has a cough, nasal discharge, or congestion that could be due to an infectious cause is not able to board at our facility. What we cannot control is the asymptomatic pet that may spread disease prior to showing clinical signs. We do everything possible to prevent and eliminate any infections arising from our kennel by thoroughly disinfecting kennels, food bowls, and bedding.
If you have a boarding reservation with our kennel, and your pet has developed a cough or nasal discharge please call our office as we will need to have one of our veterinarians examine your pet prior to admittance to boarding. We will not be able to accept patients for boarding that are suspected of having kennel cough.
If your pet develops any signs of kennel cough (lethargy, cough, nasal discharge, or congestion) following boarding, please call our office. One of our veterinarians will determine how to proceed with their care. Please know that the majority of these cases are very mild in vaccinated patients and are self-limiting.
