Severe Kennel Cough this Year

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Weedygarden

Weedygarden

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We've been hearing about severe kennel cough this year that has been fatal to some dogs. I have let my clients know. Some are still wanting their dogs to go to dog parks for socialization and exercise. It is the water dishes where they are likely to contract it. I have my own water dish that I can and will take with me and isolate from letting other dogs drink from.

https://kdvr.com/news/local/severe-kennel-cough-cases-on-the-rise-in-denver-dogs/
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (KDVR) — Local veterinarians are warning pet owners about a potentially deadly strain of kennel cough spreading throughout the Denver metro area.

VCA Highlands Ranch Animal Specialty and Emergency Center sent an email to clients on Monday addressing a rise in canine respiratory diseases most commonly known as kennel cough.

The first symptom of kennel cough is a dry, hacking cough. It is sometimes described as a noise similar to a goose honk.

“Every year we do see it around this time usually. But this year, the kennel cough complex is very severe,” Dr. Danielle Williams said.

Williams is the critical care veterinary specialist at VCA Highlands Ranch. She is responsible for cases involving the sickest pets. She said severe kennel cough cases started to become more prevalent in July and have sharply increased in August.

“I’ve seen at least 20 cases in the last two weeks,” Williams said. “Young healthy dogs are literally getting terrible pneumonia, and we’re trying to pull them back from the brink of death.”
Kennel cough is a broad term for a respiratory infection caused by a range of viruses or bacteria. It is extremely contagious and can be spread by dogs coming in close contact with each other or by sharing water bowls and toys.

“A dog can cough on your leg and that dog had kennel cough, and then you walk somewhere and another dog sniffs your leg, and they can literally get it. It’s that easy,” Williams said.

Dog daycare facilities and kennels often require dogs to have the Bordatella vaccine to help prevent kennel cough. However, Williams said the vaccine is not preventing cases of this latest strain.

“Even with vaccinations, dogs are getting this this year,” Williams said.
According to Williams, the strain of kennel cough affecting area dogs is not more contagious than usual, but it is making dogs sicker.

“We used to see young, healthy dogs come in with this, and sometimes it just gets better on its own if it’s viral and mild in a healthy dog. But this year, we’re seeing young healthy dogs literally die from this disease,” Williams said.

She said the bacteria causing the cough is resistant to Clavamox, which is the most common antibiotic used to treat infections in dogs. Williams said dogs sick with this strain of kennel cough need doxycycline instead.

“Catch this early, it’s fine. Catch it late, and you have the wrong antibiotics, and not test for it and it’s rough,” she said.

Pet owners are urged to keep their dogs away from other dogs at the park. Do not allow them to share toys, food dishes or water bowls.

Kennel cough infections can occur any time of the year but are more prevalent at times of the year when families travel more often. The current kennel cough season is expected to wind down in September and October before picking back up again during the holiday season.
 
Pearl said:
L-LYSINE!! I know many are tired of hearing about it, but it also works for animals! In fact before covid it was used to treat/cure FIP in cats, and put in feral cat's food to treat/cure rabies! Bear and my cats take it!!
Click to expand...
How do you dose your critters?
 
An update:
It was called kennel cough when we first heard about it. Now they are saying it is not kennel cough and some dogs are not responding to antibiotics. They are saying to make sure dogs have flu and Bordetella Immunizations. Isn't Bordetella the same as kennel cough? According to this following information it is. No confusion here! I wonder if Anthony Fauci is involved in this?

"Kennel cough (also known as bordetella) is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can affect dogs, cats, and humans. Dogs are most commonly affected, though cats are often carriers of the disease, never showing any symptoms but spreading the disease to other pets and pet owners."

I recently saw a young man whom I had not seen in a while. He told me that his dog had gotten pneumonia. I immediately thought that his dog had gotten Bordetella. Yes. He said the vets wanted to hospitalize his dog, but he is young and it would have cost him several thousand dollars. He said it was already not cheap. He told them to give him the medications, instructions, and he would take care of his dog at home. His dog was also quarantined for 2 weeks but is back to chasing balls at a dog park. He is a border collie.

https://www.axios.com/local/denver/...DjOdmv87iIa8bG3GOXfGVXf93dC_pzr1d_VKBLoBWA2qsNov 20, 2023 -News

Colorado dogs getting mysterious illness and cough​

Illustration of a dog wearing a collar with a metal pendant in the shape of a question mark.

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
A highly contagious illness is affecting dogs and perplexing veterinarians in Colorado.
What to know: The persistent respiratory disease includes coughing, sneezing and lethargy — with cases evolving into serious pneumonia that is hospitalizing man's best friend.
  • The illness is airborne and transmitted through contact, such as nose-to-nose touching.
Why it matters: The cases are most prevalent in Colorado, Oregon and New Hampshire, the Associated Press reports.
  • In some situations, the illness is not responding to antibiotics and dogs have died.
The big picture: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory is working to determine the cause of the illnesses.
Of note: This is not kennel cough, which typically lasts seven to 10 days and is easily treatable.
  • It's a novel illness, possibly a virus, that is evading dogs' immune systems, especially for puppies.
Be smart: If pet owners notice symptoms, they are instructed to contact their veterinarian as soon as possible.
  • Other steps pet owners can take are making sure their dogs get vaccines for canine influenza and Bordetella, and avoid dog parks, day care and boarding facilities, Gina Kettig, a veterinarian at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital, told 9News.
 
Weedygarden said:
An update:
It was called kennel cough when we first heard about it. Now they are saying it is not kennel cough and some dogs are not responding to antibiotics. They are saying to make sure dogs have flu and Bordetella Immunizations. Isn't Bordetella the same as kennel cough? According to this following information it is. No confusion here! I wonder if Anthony Fauci is involved in this?

"Kennel cough (also known as bordetella) is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can affect dogs, cats, and humans. Dogs are most commonly affected, though cats are often carriers of the disease, never showing any symptoms but spreading the disease to other pets and pet owners."

I recently saw a young man whom I had not seen in a while. He told me that his dog had gotten pneumonia. I immediately thought that his dog had gotten Bordetella. Yes. He said the vets wanted to hospitalize his dog, but he is young and it would have cost him several thousand dollars. He said it was already not cheap. He told them to give him the medications, instructions, and he would take care of his dog at home. His dog was also quarantined for 2 weeks but is back to chasing balls at a dog park. He is a border collie.

https://www.axios.com/local/denver/...DjOdmv87iIa8bG3GOXfGVXf93dC_pzr1d_VKBLoBWA2qsNov 20, 2023 -News

Colorado dogs getting mysterious illness and cough​

Illustration of a dog wearing a collar with a metal pendant in the shape of a question mark.

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
A highly contagious illness is affecting dogs and perplexing veterinarians in Colorado.
What to know: The persistent respiratory disease includes coughing, sneezing and lethargy — with cases evolving into serious pneumonia that is hospitalizing man's best friend.
  • The illness is airborne and transmitted through contact, such as nose-to-nose touching.
Why it matters: The cases are most prevalent in Colorado, Oregon and New Hampshire, the Associated Press reports.
  • In some situations, the illness is not responding to antibiotics and dogs have died.
The big picture: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory is working to determine the cause of the illnesses.
Of note: This is not kennel cough, which typically lasts seven to 10 days and is easily treatable.
  • It's a novel illness, possibly a virus, that is evading dogs' immune systems, especially for puppies.
Be smart: If pet owners notice symptoms, they are instructed to contact their veterinarian as soon as possible.
  • Other steps pet owners can take are making sure their dogs get vaccines for canine influenza and Bordetella, and avoid dog parks, day care and boarding facilities, Gina Kettig, a veterinarian at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital, told 9News.
Click to expand...
Strange you should mention this, daughter's dog in FL came down with a bad cough a few weeks ago after spending a couple days in a kennel.
He's fine now.
...Sure hope Fauci doesn't find out about it.... 'Doggie covid'!!!gaah
 
Supervisor42 said:
Strange you should mention this, daughter's dog in FL came down with a bad cough a few weeks ago after spending a couple days in a kennel.
He's fine now.
...Sure hope Fauci doesn't find out about it.... 'Doggie covid'!!!gaah
Click to expand...
Corona virus vaccines have been around a long time for canines! It was strictly an animal virus! And don't think for one second they wouldn't harm your beloved animals!
 
Luckily our dogs only leave the property for a rare vet visit.
And when outside they do not have free run but are confined to a fenced area 30ft X 50ft well away from the perimeter fences. Contact with a passing stray would be slim to none.
All four are 12 plus years old, we only rescue the old ones from the shelter. So, any disease would be very hard on them.

But still, there are the visits to the vet to be concerned about.
Thanks for the information, Weedy.
 
Heidi has a fenced yard to chase bunnies and squirrels in. She never visits a dog park and refuses to go to the groomer. I use the doggy wipes on her. She also only receives the basic vaccines—rabies, leptospirosi, parvo, etc.

I read an article this morning about a dog in California that had it and was given antibiotic that is normally used for pink eye. Seemed to cure the dog.

Eta link to article
 
I have known 4 dogs who have had this. Two dogs who live in the same household, while one still has a bit of a cough, although is much better, and the other one barely had one, but was put on antibiotics. They caught it sometime around Christmas.

https://www.cpr.org/2024/02/05/colo...0vpKpxAGVla_I9y0GvCaWm2vXplZn2HUDaG8JQoDf4wKM

CSU researchers say canine respiratory illnesses have dropped since its fall peak as they continue to study its origins​

By Paolo Zialcita
· Feb. 5, 2024, 2:27 pm

The spike in respiratory viruses among Colorado’s dogs appears to have dropped since it peaked in December 2023, according to Colorado State University veterinary researchers.

In early fall, veterinarians across Colorado started noticing more owners bringing their sick dogs into their clinics. Symptoms were similar to “kennel cough”, a common respiratory illness among dogs. However, some dogs would have a prolonged cough that lasted weeks to months, which occasionally progressed into severe illnesses like pneumonia. In many cases, infected dogs would have a minimal response to treatment.

CSU veterinary researchers have been conducting several studies to track the infections and their effects. The university said its researchers have seen a decrease in cases in January.

“Why that trend is occurring is unknown but may be related to our pets spending less time in social situations that might include ill dogs during the winter months,” said Dr. Michael Lappin, an internal medicine specialist and director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at CSU.

It isn’t clear whether the spike over the fall was caused by a novel virus. Testing has been difficult, as dogs had to take a PCR test within 72 hours of the first onset of symptoms to look for a variety of known illnesses that affect dogs.

CSU researchers plan to release a study in February looking into the origins of the illnesses. Researchers will test samples collected in Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction for signs of the 10 viruses or bacteria known to cause canine respiratory disease and whether those pathogens changed or if there are new causes.

Dog owners who want to learn more about canine respiratory illnesses and how to keep their pets safe are being invited to a webinar next Tuesday. (That webinar would have been yesterday)
 
Weedygarden said:
CSU researchers plan to release a study in February looking into the origins of the illnesses. Researchers will test samples collected in Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction for signs of the 10 viruses or bacteria known to cause canine respiratory disease and whether those pathogens changed or if there are new causes.
Click to expand...
Fear not, I'm sure Pfizer is working on a vax for that :rolleyes:.
...But you will have to take their 'vax-card' wherever they go, before they can be allowed to be around other dogs.:(
 
Pearl said:
L-LYSINE!! Had always been used in veterinary medicine! Especially for cats!! ALL of my animals take it. There are vitamin/mineral tubs now made for equines called 'Horse Lik', L-LYSINE is the first ingredient!!
Click to expand...
How is it dispensed to cats and dogs?
 
Weedygarden said:
How is it dispensed to cats and dogs?
Click to expand...
In cats for things like FIP, it comes in a powder or drops to mix in their food or orally dispense in their mouths via syringe. Bear takes a 500mg tablet in his food at supper time. My cats get a 1000mg crushed tablet split 5 ways twice a month. It has a sweet taste, they all eat it!! It's just an amino acid, no chemicals!
 
Pearl said:
In cats for things like FIP, it comes in a powder or drops to mix in their food or orally dispense in their mouths via syringe. Bear takes a 500mg tablet in his food at supper time. My cats get a 1000mg crushed tablet split 5 ways twice a month. It has a sweet taste, they all eat it!! It's just an amino acid, no chemicals!
Click to expand...
Thank you. I know the Lysine that I take is a solid pill, but as soon as I put it in my mouth I can feel the powder coming off of it, so I know it will dissolve before it makes its way through my digestive tract.
 
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