How to handle a kennel cough outbreak at my dog boarding business?

Kennel cough is very contagious and can be bacterial and/or viral. The bordetella vaccine can help shorten the course of disease if your dog is exposed, but does not prevent infection. With a deep cleaning and decontamination, the daycare facility should be able to eliminate it for now. Great job of them letting their customers know of the illness at their facility! I would wait at least a week to make sure they haven't had any more infected dogs.

No, it's not overdoing it. The virus particles can remain viable in the air for up to two weeks. You should not walk those dogs until they are completely cured from kennel cough. Advise your other clients to have their dogs vaccinated against kennel cough.

Thanks for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If your younger puppy is not showing any symptoms I would definitely not treat her. Kennel cough is transmitted similarly to the common cold- so with direct contact or by sharing bowls or even by germs transferred from your hands after petting the coughing puppy. So keeping them separately is ideal if feasible, and washing your hands between handling each of them is also advised. Since kennel cough is transmitted by aerosol and direct contact you wound have to keep their kennels very separate (like in different rooms). I am not sure if your frenchie is already being treated , but Kennel cough is often viral and self limiting. But sometimes a cough suppressant or antibiotic is indicated depending on signs. I would watch him closely and have him evaluated (if you haven’t already) if he becomes lethargic, if his appetite decreases, if his respiratory rate is increased or if there is thick nasal discharge. I hope Noah is feeling better very soon and that your younger pup stays healthy!

Poor Charlotte! Any dog with kennel cough should be isolated for at least two weeks, possibly longer depending on the severity of the infection. Keep your dog in a well-humidified area, and use a harness instead of a collar to minimize coughing. Rest your dog for at least seven days to minimize irritation of the airways caused by excessive coughing. Take her into the vet this weekend to confirm she has kennel cough, and the vet can prescribe medications to help with her symptoms. Best of luck.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Huck. The bacterial can survive for up to 48 hours on surfaces. Make sure at least that amount of time has passed, and the area has been disinfected before bringing your dog in. I would also get Huck his kennel cough vaccine, and do not allow him contact with this dog. I hope this helps!

Most likely if one of your dogs has kennel cough the other dog has already been exposed. Kennel cough is a very general term to describe infectious tracheitis. There can be many causes for kennel cough including mycoplasma which we cannot vaccinate for. I would recommend just monitoring your other dog for any coughing . If you notice coughing I would recommend taking him to the vet for an exam. Sometimes certain dogs will not get kennel cough due to stronger immune systems.

There are a few reports of Bordetella bacteria affecting severely immunocompromised people, but the other viruses cannot affect people. I typically recommend moderate exercise restriction until the cough improves. The virus and bacteria are not very hardy in the environment, and direct contact is necessary for spread. Routine cleaning should be fine.