Can You Board A Dog With Kennel Cough

1. Introduction

Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that affects dogs. It is caused by a combination of bacteria and viruses, including the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. In most cases, the infection is mild and can be treated with antibiotics, but it can become serious if left untreated. In this article, we will discuss whether you can board a dog with kennel cough, as well as the risks involved in doing so.

2. What is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection that affects dogs. It is caused by a combination of bacteria and viruses, including the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. The infection usually presents itself as a dry hacking cough that can last for several weeks or even months. It is highly contagious and can spread quickly among dogs in close quarters, such as at kennels or dog parks.

3. Causes of Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is caused by a combination of bacteria and viruses, including the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. The infection is spread through direct contact with other infected dogs or through contact with contaminated objects, such as toys or food bowls. Dogs that are stressed or living in overcrowded conditions are more likely to contract kennel cough.

4. Symptoms of Kennel Cough

The most common symptom of kennel cough is a dry hacking cough that may sound like honking or goose-like noise. Other symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, fever, and lethargy. In some cases, the infection can cause pneumonia or other serious complications if left untreated.

5. Diagnosis of Kennel Cough

A veterinarian can diagnose kennel cough by listening to your dog’s chest with a stethoscope and taking samples from their nose and throat for laboratory testing. A chest X-ray may also be taken to rule out other causes of coughing such as heartworm disease or lung cancer.

6. Treatments of Kennel Cough

Most cases of kennel cough can be treated with antibiotics and supportive care such as rest and fluids. If your dog has a severe case or develops complications such as pneumonia, they may need to be hospitalized for treatment with intravenous fluids and medications to reduce inflammation in their lungs.

7 Prevention and Control of Kennel Cough

The best way to prevent kennel cough is to ensure that all dogs in your household are up-to-date on their vaccinations against Bordetella bronchiseptica and other respiratory diseases. Additionally, it is important to practice good hygiene when interacting with other dogs at kennels or dog parks by avoiding close contact with unfamiliar animals and washing your hands after handling them or their toys/food dishes/bedding/etc..

8 Can You Board a Dog With Kennel Cough?

It is not recommended to board a dog with kennel cough because it is highly contagious and can easily spread to other animals in the kennel environment. If your dog does have kennel cough and needs to be boarded, it is important to inform the boarding facility ahead of time so they can take proper precautions to minimize the risk of spreading the infection to other pets in their care.

9 Risks Involved in Boarding a Dog With Kennel Cough

There are several risks involved in boarding a dog with kennel cough:
• The infection could spread to other animals in the boarding facility, leading to an outbreak
• Your pet’s condition could worsen while they are away from home due to stress and lack of proper care
• Your pet could develop more serious complications from the infection while away from home

< h 2 > 10 . Alternatives to Boarding a Dog With Kennel Cough < / h 2 >

If you have an ill pet that needs boarding but cannot board them due to their condition, there are alternatives available:

• Pet sitting – You can hire a pet sitter who will come to your home on a regular basis (daily or weekly) to provide care for your pet while you are away

• Pet daycare – Many pet daycare facilities offer overnight stays for pets who cannot be boarded due to illness

• Home care – You can hire someone who specializes in caring for sick pets who will come into your home on a regular basis (daily or weekly) while you are away

• Veterinary hospital – If your pet’s condition requires more intensive care than what you are able to provide at home, you may need to consider having them stay at an animal hospital while you are away

< h 2 > 11 . Conclusion < / h 2 >

In conclusion, it is not recommended that you board a dog with kennel cough due to the risk of spreading the infection to other animals in the facility as well as potential complications from the disease itself if left untreated while away from home . However , there are alternatives available such as pet sitting , pet daycare , home care , and veterinary hospital stays that may be suitable for your situation .