It’s not uncommon to hear about an illness that has become resistant to the vaccinations used to treat them, but we usually associate this with a human infection. Unfortunately, this human health concern has also become an issue for dogs.
Veterinarians in British Columbia, Canada have raised concerned about the jump in the number of cases of vaccine-resistant kennel cough they are seeing. Clinics in the Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley area of the Canadian province have seen upwards of 16 new cases coming into the clinic each day.
[bp_related_article]
In these new cases, the specific strain of bacteria appears to be resistant to the traditional kennel cough vaccine. This leads veterinarians to believe that some sort of genetic shift has occurred, resulting in a brand new type of bacteria.
Having never seen this volume of cases in such a short amount of time, veterinarians are urging dog owners to keep a close eye on their pups during this outbreak.
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis, also known as Bordetella or Kennel Cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection. When a dog contracts Kennel Cough, they develop a persistent, dry cough that sounds like they are trying to get something out of their throat. While infected dogs will eat, drink, and otherwise act normally, the cough will worsen with exercise or excitement. This infection can also make dogs more susceptible to secondary infections that can be even more serious.
Since kennel cough is so highly contagious, if you suspect that your dog has contracted it, it is critical that you keep them away from other dogs and seek veterinary care immediately. Until this outbreak is dealt with, keep a close eye on your pup and closely monitor the dogs they are interacting with.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about kennel cough and how you can protect your pup, talk to your veterinarian.
Sources: Pet Health Network
Featured image via @kristenalan
