Just like kids in school, these dogs can pass treacheobronchitis (kennel cough) around just like a cold.

To help prevent illness, we require all dogs to have a Bordetella vaccination every year and strongly recommend a booster every six months. This vaccination, though it won’t prevent the spread of certain strains, will protect your dog from getting a more serious infection and possibly pneumonia.

Ask your veterinarian for more information.

Kennel Cough is the term that was commonly applied to the most prevalent upper respiratory problem in dogs in the United States. Recently, the condition has become known as tracheobronchitis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis, Bordetellosis, or Bordetella. It is highly contagious in dogs. The disease is found worldwide and will infect a very high percentage of dogs in their lifetime.

Infectious agents involved

There are many different agents that can cause of tracheobronchitis. The most common are parainfluenza virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and mycoplasma. Canine adenovirus type 2, reovirus, and canine herpes virus are thought to possibly contribute to the disease, as well. Although any one of these organisms can cause symptoms of the disease, the majority of cases are the result of more than one organism.

The most common viral agent is parainfluenza virus. This common virus will cause mild symptoms lasting less than 6 days unless there is involvement of other bacteria, as is usually the case. Most 5-way vaccines and ‘kennel cough’ vaccines offer some protection against this virus.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacteria isolated from dogs with tracheobronchitis. Clinical signs of infections occur 2-14 days after exposure, and if uncomplicated with other agents, symptoms will last around 10 days. However, after the infection has been resolved, the affected animal will continue to shed the bacteria for 6 to 14 weeks and can spread the disease to other susceptible animals during that time. Bordetella is one of the agents protected against through the use of intranasal ‘kennel cough’ vaccines. Parainfluenza and Bordetella most commonly appear together in infectious tracheobronchitis, creating a disease that normally lasts from 14-20 days.

Symptoms

The most common symptom is a dry hacking cough sometimes followed by retching. Many owners describe the cough as having a ‘honking sound.’ A watery nasal discharge may also be present. With mild cases, dogs continue to eat and be alert and active. Many times, there is a recent history of boarding or coming in contact with other dogs. In more severe cases, the symptoms may progress and include lethargy, fever, inappetence, pneumonia, and in very severe cases, even death. The majority of severe cases occur in immunocompromised animals, or young unvaccinated puppies.

Vaccination and prevention

The best prevention is to not expose your dog to other dogs, especially young puppies. If this cannot be avoided, then proper vaccination is the next best option. Chances are that if your dog is regularly vaccinated with a standard 5-way or 7-way vaccine, he is already being protected against several of the agents causing tracheobronchitis, mainly parainfluenza and adenovirus. However, these vaccines alone rarely provide protection against contracting the disease, although they will help reduce the severity of the disease if the animal becomes infected.

Woof Play Care Dog Grooming

At Woof Play Care we believe bathing and grooming are essential to a healthy pet. Woof! is proud to be home to expert groomers Jennifer Vanderwarker and Pat Stoner! They’ll have your dog looking – and smelling – like a supermodel!

From shampoos, hair cuts and flea treatments – to exotic styling, pedicures, skin care, and moisturizing treatments, your pampered pet will go home looking great as well as feeling great! All of our dog grooming services are available by daily appointment, or can be scheduled with boarding.

Grooming is an important part of your dog’s health, with regular brushing and combing helping to remove dead hair and dirt and prevent matting. Dogs who are regularly groomed tend to have a healthier and shinier coat because it stimulates the blood supply to the skin.

Animals with long hair or hair that is non-shedding can get matted coats. “These mats not only are unsightly, they become unhygienic areas that can harbor bacteria. They form very tight constricting bundles of fur that will even cut off circulation,”

Grooming your dog can also be a good way to bond with your dog, and it’s important to get him used to it from an early age. Many dogs learn to see their routine brushing as an alternate petting, another source of affection and attention. A good quality brush and comb will help you with your dog’s coat, but also remember that your dog’s eyes, ears, and nails require attention as well.

Always bear in mind that our dog groomers are pleasant, professional, and caring — keeping you and your pet happy will always be their top priority!

Woof! has a full service beauty salon for dogs. We take time to meet with every client to be sure we understand exactly what look you want for your dog. Our pricing varies depending on breed, please call for details 321-255-9663

Should You Have Pet safety and CPR Training

If you’re concerned about your pet, you should never feel embarrassed about calling a veterinarian.

Veterinarians are used to emergencies and they prepare for them. Most veterinary hospitals have doctors on-call or provide referrals to emergency pet hospitals, so don’t worry about waking your veterinarian out of a sound sleep.

Emergencies happen every day. Being prepared can greatly increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.

As reported on MSNBC, most pet owners would leap into action for an injured pet, even if it meant risking dog breath by going mouth-to-snout.In fact a new poll says women are more likely to give pets CPR than men

Fifty-eight percent of pet owners — 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners — would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll.

Tammy Parks, 52, of Amherst, Massachusetts, has taken a pet first-aid class and wouldn’t hesitate to help her 15-year-old mixed breed terriers, Lucy and Julia, or her white fronted Amazon parrot Koko.

“It’s not rocket science. The mechanics are the same as humans,” said Parks, who was an American Red Cross first-aid trainer. “Size is the biggest difference.”

In general, though, the poll found few pet owners are prepared to handle pet emergencies. Just 20 percent of pet owners have a pet first-aid kit in their home, and 54 percent do not have a fire evacuation plan for their pets.

Still, most pet owners said they would go the extra mile to rescue their pets. Women were more likely to say they would perform CPR on their pets than men, 65 percent to 50 percent, the poll showed.

Nearly every decision made at the Parks house is made with the safety of the animals in mind.

“We don’t use pesticide on the lawn. We don’t buy food with pesticide on it. No sugar, no salt, just natural nuts and fruits. No Teflon in the house, no smoking, no air fresheners, no aerosol products,” she said, explaining that any one of those things could kill their 7-year-old bird.

Barbara Klingman of Houma, Louisiana, said she changed things after her Chihuahua, Honeychild, ate something that forced an emergency trip to the vet.

“I make sure she doesn’t have anything she shouldn’t have,” Klingman said of the 7-pound, 4-year-old dog.

Pet safety and CPR training is offered by the American Red Cross and many private companies. “Vets are the experts but they are rarely on scene when something happens to our pets,” said Denise Fleck, who runs

Sunny-Dog Ink in Burbank and has written pet safety textbooks, appeared on a number of TV shows and taught classes throughout Southern California.

Disaster plans are important, too, especially in areas like Southern California that are at the mercy of earthquakes and fires.

“If people value their pets like a family member, they should know how to do CPR, just like they would for their kids. In disasters, pets get hurt and run into debris and all kinds of things,” said Mark Solnick, director of emergency preparedness and response for the Red Cross Santa Monica.

The AP-Petside.com poll was conducted Oct. 1 to 5, 2009, by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. It involved telephone interviews on landline and cell phones with 1,166 pet owners nationwide, and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for all pet owners.

Woof! Playcare is a perfect place for dogs to get socialized, exercised and spoiled in a fun, safe friendly environment. We let dogs act like dogs!!

And still, after five great years Dogs Ask for Us by Name “Woof!” ~ Call 321 255-9663 Today