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Member:
Quatro

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 - 11:25 am:

Dr. O, I have a question about a dog thing, and I was hoping it would not be a bother to ask your opinion.
We have a pet resort here, and have run into a few cases of kennel cough. It is always a nightmare when we hear of it. Our kennels are well ventillated, disinfected and we require current bordatella vaccinations. However, I have a dog in the house who spent a few hours in the kennel, who is doing the classic whooping gagging type cough, and have heard of 3 other quests who went home with and developed what the vets determined to be kennel cough.
My problem is the 4 vets in our area approach treatment differently. 1/2 of them say to let it run its course, because it is viral, and the other 2 vets do a trachyl test, prescribe antibiotics and a cough supprescent(sp). From what I understand the antibiotics would be indicated if there was a secondary infection, or is it best as a preventative? With all the talk of creating resistive bacteria, I am hesitant to do the antibiotic thing with the dogs as well as the humans.
Just was wondering what your opinion is?
thanks
sue
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 1, 2006 - 8:28 am:

Those vets who say this is a viral problem are wrong, the agent of kennel cough is a bacterium: Bordatella bronchiseptica. That said it it difficult to treat with antibiotics. As to proper treatment and prevention protocol I am really not up on this Susan. Let me see if I can get my small animal associate Dr. Mitchell to address this.
DrO
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 1, 2006 - 2:54 pm:

I may have misunderstood them, I believe they said it was a combination of things. My other concern is this new canine flu that has gotten attention lately. I know that cases have shown up in the greyhound parks, and a few places back east. I have kept abreast of information from the local vets and they have not seen any cases, but my concern is that apparently it has "mutated" or crossed species from the horse. My horse's pasture runs along side the outside play yards for our kennels. My horses love the dogs, and frequently come up to the fence, sniffing at the dogs. Should I be concerned that this may be a problem? Dusty coughs from being heavy and the new guy Clyde will occasionally cough, but never from any apparent illness. Just wondering if I should limit the horses access to my guests here at the kennel
any thoughts on this?
thanks
sue
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 3, 2006 - 6:44 am:

Got it, I will pass this all along.
DrO
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Friday, Feb 3, 2006 - 10:52 am:

Thanks Dr. O, will look forward to your opinions!
suz
Member:
Janette

Posted on Saturday, Feb 4, 2006 - 10:37 am:

Hi Suz,
I consulted with our small animal associate (Dr Bridgett Mitchell) about your concerns and below is her response.
The two most important causes of canine ITB (infectious tracheobronchitis) are canine Parainfluenza virus (CPIV) and Bordetella bronchiseptica, a gram negative, aerobic coccobacillus. Canine adenovirus-2, canine herpesvirus, reoviruses (types 1,2,3) and mycoplasmas are also occasionally isolated, but of minor importance.
Canine ITB is highly contagious through direct contact and indirect contact.
Dogs with B.bronchiseptica can become chronic carriers.
Both of the above veterinarians could be correct because it can be viral or bacterial.
Some cases are self limiting and antibiotics are optional, but most cases should be treted empirically for possible Bordetella infections.
In mild cases antitussives can be used but if there is a productive cough then they should be avoided. HyDrOcodone and butorphanol are effective, OTC human products are not.
To my knowledge Canine Influenza is not transmitted from horses to dogs directly. It is a mutated virus. I wouldn't worry about separating horses and dogs.
Reference: Birchard, sherding, Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice; 3rd Ed; pgs. 151-153

Hope this helps,
Janette
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Sunday, Feb 5, 2006 - 9:31 am:

Dear Janette, thanks so much for responding. As you can imagine, it is very stressful when kennel cough shows its ugly head at a kennel. Because most of my clients are suffering from flus and colds right now, they have been very understanding, and know that we are a clean, well ventillated kennel. Unfortunately, our place is very social, so the dogs are not separated by block walls, great for the germs that come to visit. We use KenCare disinfectant, bleach during cleanups, And once a week I run a vaporizer with disinfectant in each room when the dogs are gone. I have always required vaccinations, it seems that the ones that get mild coughs are ones that have been vaccinated over 6 months ago. I am suggesting that their bordatella be current within 6 months. I am working hard at limiting the nose to nose greetings, and running a fan to increase circulation. If you know of any other suggestions for getting things back to normal here, I would love it. We have many return customers who have been here 2 weeks ago and then come back. So short of closing down, I don't know what to do. I have been monitoring through the vets, and they have not seen any more cases in the last week. We have had a few coughing slightly here, but usually only a day or 2.
I am so glad that I do not have to limit the horses access to the dogs. They really enjoy the distraction. The dogs get a good workout, barking and running back in forth trying to chase the "really BIG dogs on the other side of the fence.
Thanks for your input
suz
Member:
Janette

Posted on Monday, Feb 6, 2006 - 9:05 am:

Hi Suz,
Due to an increased incidence of active cases coming into our office we require Bordetella current within 6 months for animals staying in the facility and started sending out 6 month reminders to our clients about 8 months ago. The active cases were similar to what you have noticed, vaccination over 6 months old.
Otherwise it sound like you are doing a great job.
Good luck
Janette
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Monday, Feb 6, 2006 - 11:39 am:

Thanks so much
suz
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