Canine Cough Updates 12/2/23
I wanted to share this article that just came out from NPR. It is a really good read basically re-iterating that everything is still unknown as far as the exact cause, virus, and of a cure that fits every dog. Most dogs really are only experiencing mild symptoms, but it is targeting every dog differently, from reverse sneezing, nasal discharge, fevers and chills, dry coughs, wet coughs, pneumonia, bronchitis, and/or lung inflammation. There has been no correlation yet of which dog experiences each symptom, but it does appear from our experience that everyone is being exposed to the same/similar virus.
We have been about 2 weeks without any calls of newly sick pups, but definitely still have some in recovery. As long as this remains, we’re optimistic we are continuing on the downward slope.
It seems that most vets are sticking with it being CIRDC (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex). It appears to be spreading wider in the news as it travels to different areas across the country with many people coming out to share their story, even dogs that went through this as far back as July.
Even though this hasn’t been linked to Influenza, a few vets near us are now starting to recommend getting pups up to date on the Influenza vaccine to help increase antibodies. I’m mostly seeing this as a 2 round vaccine, one with a booster 2-3 weeks later.
Please know we will NEVER try to pressure you into bringing your pups back if you aren’t ready. All of our posts and advice is entirely based on our research and experiences, but we completely understand taking the cautious approach right now. I personally have experienced this with all 5 of my dogs, so I know that this is difficult whether or not socializing them is the best decision right now.
Remember to PLEASE stay away from Dog Parks and socializing with pups that you don’t know their history. We’re continuing with our extreme cleaning and screening protocols until we feel this has truly passed.
Pups with a lingering cough that have completed a round of antibiotics and are otherwise healthy are welcome to return. We have seen no evidence of these pups being able to continue to spread it.
To those pups that are still sick and struggling with this nasty virus, you are in our thoughts and we are hoping for a quick recovery!
Here is a reminder for what to look out for and what to do if your pup is sick or becomes sick.
Cough – Similar to previous strains of Bordetella and the most common symptom we are seeing. The cough usually starts out mild and will either go away on its own, or turn into pneumonia or another respiratory infection, some more severe than others. Foamy vomit is a common side-symptom and does not necessarily mean medical treatment is necessary. This is just saliva discharge from the cough.
Nasal Discharge – A green milky nasal discharge, that can also lead to pneumonia. Some cases have presented minor coughing as well if pneumonia develops. Clear discharge (vs. milky green) is a potential symptom of pneumonia or another respiratory infection.
We continue to recommend consulting with your vet IMMEDIATELY if any symptoms progress beyond a mild cough.
1. Changes in the temperament and energy – If your pup’s appetite decreases or they become lethargic, this can be a sign that they have reached early stage pneumonia.
2. Chills/trembling may be signs of a fever from the infection
3. Quick/shallow breaths and restlessness are signs of breathing difficulty that could be from pneumonia.
Please reach out to us anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
-Bri and The Waggin’ Tails Team
Canine Cough Updates 11/24/23
As the media has begun to address this unknown virus, we are hopefully starting to see the tail end of this circle through our facility. Many facilities that saw this before us are starting to see things get back to normal, while others behind us are now starting to see the symptoms. Unfortunately, it took a few months and reports from all around the country for this to make the news. We are deeply hoping that as Thanksgiving weekend winds down, everyone stays healthy, and we can hopefully get back to normal soon. We will continue to update everyone with any changes as they develop.
Vets are STILL all over the place on what exactly this virus is, but it appears that most are calling this CIRDC (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex). Since this strain of illness is so new, that is why we are seeing antibiotics not being as effective as normal, and only curing a secondary bacterial infection. It appears that research hospitals are working very hard to officially determine what this is and figure out a treatment.
So far, this is the best article I have found describing the virus and what we know now. We understand why most people are taking this very seriously, as do we, but the media has absolutely placed the scare in everyone, and we completely understand everyone’s nerves. While we continue to treat our day-to-day procedures as if we are in an active outbreak, we are hopeful that the worst is over.
If your pup has already experienced symptoms and are now symptom free, there is also no evidence to suggest that your pup can catch the same strain again if exposed.
Again, we STRONGLY recommend staying away from Dog Parks during this outbreak. Without the structure of Daycare, many pet parents bring their sick and unvaccinated pups into Dog Parks without understanding the risks. This is definitely making the spread harder to control. Unfortunately, many daycares are still holding back about creating awareness of this virus, so many dogs have been socializing continuing to go to dog parks unknowingly spreading it during incubation periods. This also goes for humans that aren’t taking this situation seriously and continuing to socialize their pups at dog parks while they have been sick.
Pups with Lingering Coughs – If your pup has already been through antibiotic treatment and they are not experiencing any other symptoms, this is most likely due to swelling from the lungs from the initial cough/pneumonia. For some dogs, this is taking a very long time to go away. We’ve learned that steroids are starting to be prescribed in order to help with the inflammation and get rid of that cough. Ask your vet if they’re willing to prescribe these for you.
There is no evidence that pups with lingering coughs are still contagious as long as they’ve completed antibiotics and are not experiencing any other symptoms.
Here is a reminder for what to look out for and what to do if your pup is sick or becomes sick.
Cough – Similar to previous strains of Bordetella and the most common symptom we are seeing. The cough usually starts out mild and will either go away on its own, or turn into pneumonia or another respiratory infection, some more severe than others. Foamy vomit is a common side-symptom and does not necessarily mean medical treatment is necessary. This is just saliva discharge from the cough.
Nasal Discharge – A green milky nasal discharge, that can also lead to pneumonia. Some cases have presented minor coughing as well if pneumonia develops. Clear discharge (vs. milky green) is a potential symptom of pneumonia or another respiratory infection.
We continue to recommend consulting with your vet IMMEDIATELY if any symptoms progress beyond a mild cough.
1. Changes in the temperament and energy – If your pup’s appetite decreases or they become lethargic, this can be a sign that they have reached early stage pneumonia.
2. Chills/trembling may be signs of a fever from the infection
3. Quick/shallow breaths and restlessness are signs of breathing difficulty that could be from pneumonia.
We will continue to STRICTLY enforce the following policies:
If your dog has experienced any coughing or more severe symptoms:
If their symptoms are severe enough to receive antibiotics, they must COMPLETE the entire prescription given by your vet before returning to Daycare or Boarding
If antibiotics are not necessary for their symptoms, they must be SYMPTOM FREE for AT LEAST 72 HOURS in order to return to
Daycare or Boarding
If you have a dog that is sick and a dog that is healthy, BOTH pups need to stay home as the healthy pup can still carry the virus and spread it to others.
If your pup experiences ANY coughing while in our care, whether in Daycare or Boarding, they will be kenneled and will need to be picked up ASAP.
Make sure that you have someone available that can come and pick them up in case any symptoms develop. We strongly recommend bringing dogs in on a harness so we do not mistake Canine Cough for just a pulling of the collar on the throat. Dogs caught coughing in the lobby will NOT be allowed as a safety precaution.
To those pups that are still sick and struggling with this nasty virus, you are in our thoughts and we are hoping for a quick recovery!
Please reach out to us anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
-The Waggin’ Tails Team