B.C. veterinarians blame COVID-19 pandemic for rise in kennel cough cases in dogs
Source: Global News
Dr. Fraser Davidson, said the amount of dogs coming into vet offices with kennel cough is higher than normal.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen quite so many dogs coming in in such a condensed timeframe than over the last couple of weeks,” he said.
Davidson said the increase might be because so many people got “pandemic puppies” earlier this year as people were forced into lockdowns, and weren’t able to expose them to as much of the outside world as they normally would.
“They would have significantly more naïve immune systems than a dog that has always been exposed to things throughout their life,” he said.
“People just haven’t been getting out and socializing with their dog as much as they had been in previous years, so the dog’s immune system just hasn’t been challenged on a low grade like they normally would.”
Davidson says another reason could be dog rescue groups importing dogs from different places around the world, bringing in a strain of the virus that local dogs aren’t used to.
He says kennel cough is extremely contagious between dogs and can be serious to puppies or dogs with weak immune systems.
His best advice is to keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date.
If you notice your dog coughing, Davidson says owners should keep them away from other dogs, and take them into a vet.
Dr Jones comments..
-it is important that you are aware of Kennel Cough, and treat appropriately
-most dogs that get kennel cough recover fine without antibiotics, and may recover faster with some of the home remedies listed below
- it is important that you 'confirm' the diagnosis...you can watch this video of my friends dog with Kennel Cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) to see what it sounds like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcUH_yzjqfA
-if your dog stops eating/drinking, is lethargic, or has any difficulty breathing, he/she may have something more serious as a small percent of dogs with kennel cough can progress to pneumonia. In that case SEE your veterinarian and have antibiotics prescribed
BUT this seldom happens, and most dogs recover well at home
Here are some suggested Home Remedies
Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)
Visit your veterinarian if your pet is acting ill, weak, being reluctant to exercise, eat or drink. In a small percent of cases kennel cough can progress to pneumonia, requiring antibiotics. In heart disease some type of treatment is needed to reduce the size of the heart and to reduce the fluid in the airways.
Humidity
Remember having your mother put a ‘steamer’ in your room when you had a cough as a child? Well this also works well for dogs. Adding humidity to the air will calm an irritated airway. Put on a humidifier or put your pet in the bathroom and turn on the shower.
Natural Cough Syrup
Natural Cough Syrup. Lemon and honey can soothe any sore throat. Mix 2 tbsp of honey, 1 tsp of lemon juice and 1/2 cup of water. Give it to your dog twice daily, 1 tbsp for an average sized (50 lb) dog, 1 tsp for a cat .
Homeopathic cough syrups may also be helpful. I have used Hyland’s Cough Syrup, dosing it at 1/4 of regular adult dose per 10 lbs of body weight.
Remove the Collar
Get the Collar Off. Any irritated airway will benefit from having less pressure put on it. Remove the collar and use a harness for restraint. Avoid putting any pressure on your dog’s throat, especially in chronic coughing such as tracheal collapse. Many dogs respond better to completely removing the collar, and just using a dog harness.
Herbal Help
Licorice Root is an effective cough suppressant and works well in conjunction with the honey, it is antiviral along with having anti-inflammatory properties to soothe an inflamed throat.
I have used 1/2ml of Licorice Root tincture/20lbs of body weight combined with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of warm water.
Slippery Elm. This is another herb used by many holistic practitioners for coughing in dogs and cats. It has a wide safety margin, and is also especially helpful for intestinal disorders. When the ground root is combined with water it makes a very thick/gelatinous like fluid that helps coat the throat and relieve the cough. You can break open one 400mg capsule, then combine it with the honey and water. Some people find it to be more effective than the licorice root.
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