‘Unusual’ kennel cough outbreak reported in B.C. dogs
Posted August 5, 2021 10:52 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – B.C. dog owners are being warned to watch for signs of kennel cough in their pets, with the SPCA saying there seems to be an unusual strain popping up in the province.
So far, the SPCA says it’s seen 24 cases of kennel cough in its facilities, and more are being reported in communities around B.C.
“We first started seeing cases in dogs coming into our facilities in July and began hearing of similar cases in the community, particularly in the Kamloops region,” said Dr. Emilia Gordon, senior manager of animal health for the BC SPCA.
“Any dogs in our care who were showing symptoms were immediately isolated, but as we began testing for known viruses and bacteria, the tests kept coming back negative. After consulting with specialists, we believe the cause could be a virus that isn’t detected by commercially available tests.”
Also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness in dogs. Canines usually contract kennel cough from places where there are large numbers of dogs, such as at boarding facilities or daycares.
So far, the BC SPCA says none of the dogs in this “outbreak” have become seriously ill and they are all recovering. However, the agency is concerned by “how aggressively the disease has spread between dogs, even if they weren’t in close contact.”
“Most affected dogs were vaccinated, so while we still recommend the vaccine to reduce illness, it appears that we may be dealing with a virus that is not part of the current vaccine,” said Gordon.
The most obvious symptom is a strong cough that often comes with a “honking” sound, according to the American Kennel Club. Other signs include a runny nose, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, and a low fever.
Pet owners and guardians are urged to isolate their dogs if they start to cough and seek veterinary advice.
The SPCA is working with specialists to try to find the cause of this outbreak. It notes a small number of dogs with this strain of kennel cough had eye or nasal discharge as well.
