Q. I'm planning to go on a trip and intend to leave my dog in aboarding kennel. My friends have warned me about a disease calledkennel cough. I'm worried enough to possibly cancel my trip. S.M.,Geneva
A. Go on your trip and place your dog in a kennel, albeit withsome reservations. Visit the kennel and check it out forcleanliness, personnel and general attitude toward hygiene. Arevaccinations necessary before boarding your pet? Are there anycoughing dogs in the kennel? There are vaccinations available forkennel cough, and I would advise that your dog get them about onemonth before kenneling. Of course, vaccinations against distemperand infectious hepatitis should be up to date. All this will notmake your dog 100 percent safe, but it will minimize any problems.
Specifically, kennel cough refers to a collection of highlycontagious diseases of the canine respiratory tract that causestracheobronchitis. There is an acute onset with a hacking cough thatpersists for one to two weeks. The germs are airborne, which makesit most common wherever dogs are confined under one roof.
The sick dog has a dry, hacking cough followed by gagging orretching. Usually the patient is without a temperature, eats but notas much as usual, and there may be a slight discharge from the noseand eyes. The more severe form may end up with pneumonia. Coughsedatives are usually not used unless the cough is so severe the dogcan't sleep. If the disease is mild, your doctor may decide not totreat, as the disease probably will limit itself to a week or two andgo away without causing any harm.
Send questions for veterinarian Sanford Blum to: ChicagoSun-Times, Features Dept., 4th Floor, 401 N. Wabash, Chicago 60611.
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