kennel cough
2021 strain of kennel cough
2021's strain of kennel cough is particularly virulent, and in some cases it has sadly proven fatal, even in healthy young dogs. If you suspect your dog may have kennel cough, ring your vet immediately. Symptoms of the 2021 strain vary from the more common strains. They include the following:
For treatment options please read the report below from the Greyhound Board.
- Sudden onset lethargy
- High temperature >39.5˚C / 103.1 ˚F
- Rapid breathing
- NB: They may present without an actual cough
For treatment options please read the report below from the Greyhound Board.
greyhound board: canine pneumonia
The infection is characterized by a sudden onset lethargy, pyrexia (above 39.5 ˚C / 103.1 ˚F) and tachypnoea. Coughing is not a consistent sign and its absence should not prevent the consideration of pulmonary disease, since CHP is a pneumonia, not a bronchopneumonia. A haemorrhagic oro-nasal discharge is seen as a terminal event.
The progress of the disease is extremely rapid, with death occurring within 6-10 hours of the first appearance of lethargy.
The diagnosis of suspicious cases should be done on clinical signs alone, and treatment must be vigorous and prompt, viz: intravenous fluids and intravenous antibiotics. The choice of antibiotics licenced for intravenous use in dogs is limited, but should be directed at Streptococci and E. coli. NSAIDs may be used to reduce the fever, but are not necessary. Any delays in treatment, or failure to use intravenous therapy, will worsen the prognosis.
Following timely aggressive therapy most cases will fully recover from the acute episode, and will then need 10-15 days of oral antibiosis. It is not necessary to medicate in-contacts.
Cases that fail to respond should be euthanased, since a poor response to therapy is strongly associated with death within a short period of time (<24 hrs). Bodies may be submitted to the DSMP for a PME examination funded by the GBGB, which is the preferred route. Should practitioners wish to perform a PME, marked pulmonary haemorrhage affecting the entire lung field will be seen. In about 50% of cases Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus can be isolated. This organism has zoonotic potential, so care is needed both in the hospitalization of cases and in PME examinations.
The usual principles of isolation, hygiene and staff awareness apply. Transmission is thought to be by close contact, whilst tonsillar carriers may explain persistence of Str. equi zooepidemicus in the greyhound population. In contrast to how this disease behaves in rescue kennels, multiple cases are rare in Greyhound kennels. Where second cases have occurred they have always been within 48 hours of the first (index) case
The progress of the disease is extremely rapid, with death occurring within 6-10 hours of the first appearance of lethargy.
The diagnosis of suspicious cases should be done on clinical signs alone, and treatment must be vigorous and prompt, viz: intravenous fluids and intravenous antibiotics. The choice of antibiotics licenced for intravenous use in dogs is limited, but should be directed at Streptococci and E. coli. NSAIDs may be used to reduce the fever, but are not necessary. Any delays in treatment, or failure to use intravenous therapy, will worsen the prognosis.
Following timely aggressive therapy most cases will fully recover from the acute episode, and will then need 10-15 days of oral antibiosis. It is not necessary to medicate in-contacts.
Cases that fail to respond should be euthanased, since a poor response to therapy is strongly associated with death within a short period of time (<24 hrs). Bodies may be submitted to the DSMP for a PME examination funded by the GBGB, which is the preferred route. Should practitioners wish to perform a PME, marked pulmonary haemorrhage affecting the entire lung field will be seen. In about 50% of cases Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus can be isolated. This organism has zoonotic potential, so care is needed both in the hospitalization of cases and in PME examinations.
The usual principles of isolation, hygiene and staff awareness apply. Transmission is thought to be by close contact, whilst tonsillar carriers may explain persistence of Str. equi zooepidemicus in the greyhound population. In contrast to how this disease behaves in rescue kennels, multiple cases are rare in Greyhound kennels. Where second cases have occurred they have always been within 48 hours of the first (index) case
what is kennel cough?
Kennel cough is a highly contagious virus, similar to a chest cold in humans. It is self-limiting, i.e. it will resolve itself without medical intervention. It presents as a harsh, dry, hacking cough or a honking, whooping style cough. The cough may be dry or productive i.e. will produce froth. It lasts from a few days to a couple of weeks and should not cause any obvious ill health in your dog beyond the coughing itself. It is easily identified by clicking on either of these video links: Please note that all coughs need veterinary investigation as they could be a symptom of serious health problems such as bloat or heart disease.
It can present a serious worry in very young, very old or immune compromised dogs. If your dog falls into this category contact your vet immediately.
Be sure to tell the receptionist that you suspect kennel cough as they may require you to use a different entrance/waiting room or even to assess your dog in your car in order to prevent infecting other dogs at their practice.
In the event that your dog presents with kennel cough and is showing signs of listlessness, loss of appetite and/or fever it may be that there is an underlying pneumococcal infection that will require immediate veterinary evaluation and treatment with antibiotics.
Nasal discharge should be investigated by a vet too.
Be sure to tell the receptionist that you suspect kennel cough as they may require you to use a different entrance/waiting room or even to assess your dog in your car in order to prevent infecting other dogs at their practice.
In the event that your dog presents with kennel cough and is showing signs of listlessness, loss of appetite and/or fever it may be that there is an underlying pneumococcal infection that will require immediate veterinary evaluation and treatment with antibiotics.
Nasal discharge should be investigated by a vet too.
vaccination
Vaccination against Kennel cough is available from your veterinary surgery. There is no guarantee however that it will prevent infection. Kennel Cough is localised to the respiratory tract which does not lend it to prevention by vaccination, and also the virus which causes it mutates so rapidly that it is hard for the vaccine to keep pace with it. The initial vaccination requires regular boosting and even then there is no guarantee it will completely prevent it. It will however, limit the symptoms somewhat so that infection is less severe/long-lived if the dog catches it.
Some boarding kennels, puppy classes and training classes will require your dog to have the vaccination before attending. In this case you will have to have the vaccine administered at least 5 days beforehand in order for it to activate.
Some boarding kennels, puppy classes and training classes will require your dog to have the vaccination before attending. In this case you will have to have the vaccine administered at least 5 days beforehand in order for it to activate.
treatment
As the infection is self-limiting no treatment is actually required. Some relief from the cough can, however, be obtained by administering a children's Tickly Cough Linctus using the dosage for a 12 year old child, or using Manuka honey.
If the infection is complicated by pneumonia, or your dog is young, old or immune-comprised, seek veterinary advice immediately as antibiotic treatment will be required.
If the infection is complicated by pneumonia, or your dog is young, old or immune-comprised, seek veterinary advice immediately as antibiotic treatment will be required.
quarantine
Quarantine times vary from practice to practice but the most common time given is 2 weeks after the last cough. It is vitally important that your dog not be allowed to mix with dogs that are very young, very old or ill at all whilst they are contagious. They should also be quarantined from persons who have poor immune function as the bordatella pertussis (whooping cough virus) is closely related.
They should be kept away from all dogs and areas that are frequented by dogs whilst the cough is prevalent, and avoid mixing with dogs for 2 weeks afterwards.
They should be kept away from all dogs and areas that are frequented by dogs whilst the cough is prevalent, and avoid mixing with dogs for 2 weeks afterwards.