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See Spot Sit, LLC
Canine Respiratory Illness Precautions
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There are a number of infectious respiratory ailments that affect dogs. The most
common are "kennel cough" and canine influenza. Symptoms may include coughing,
nasal discharge, and fever. The hallmark symptom of kennel cough is that the cough
sounds like a goose with a hairball: "honk - honk - HONK - HONK! - GACKKK!"
For most dogs, these illnesses are mild to moderate and last about two weeks
or less. Some dogs will have no symptoms at all (although they still may be contagious).
However, for a few dogs the illness may be severe with complications such as
pneumonia resulting.
Even if your dog has been vaccinated for kennel cough and/or canine influenza,
he may still be affected by a respiratory virus or infection. The vaccines that are
given DO NOT protect against all strains of "kennel cough".
These diseases are spread from dog to dog by contact with respiratory secretions or
contaminated surfaces. Since they are quite contagious, we all need
to take reasonable precautions to minimize the risk of transmission of respiratory
illness. Before enrolling in a class, we ask that you heed the following guidelines:
- For puppies and newly adopted dogs: the puppy/dog
must have lived in YOUR home for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the start
of the class.
- If your dog has had any symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing, nasal
discharge, fever, etc. within 2 weeks prior to the start of a class, do not
enroll in that class. If you have already sent in a registration and your dog
becomes ill, please let us know and we will transfer your registration to a future
class. Cancellations are accepted up to 48 hours before the start of the class.
- If you plan to be away and will kennel (board) your dog within 2 weeks prior to
the start of a class or if they will be kenneled at any time during the class,
do not enroll in that class. Please choose a future class date when boarding your
dog won't be necessary.
- Owners are requested to refrain from taking their dogs to any place where they will
be in close contact with large groups of unknown dogs (e.g. doggie daycare, dog
shows, off-leash dog parks, commercial groomers) for 2 weeks prior to the start of
the class and for the duration of the class.
© 2002-, See Spot Sit, LLC
rev. 17 Aug. 2011