If you have a few dogs at home, simply ensuring your pets are vaccinated according to your veterinarian's recommendations usually controls kennel cough. Control at home also involves not allowing your dog to interact with other dogs that are not vaccinated. However, if you're operating a kennel, doggy day care, shelter, boarding facility or other organization that has many dogs living together, managing kennel cough requires a bit more work.
Things You'll Need
- Bleach
- Soap
- Quarantine area
Instructions
Ensure all dogs entering the facility are vaccinated against kennel cough at least two weeks before entering the facility, if possible.
Ensure your facility has adequate ventilation. This is usually recommended to be 12 to 20 air exchanges every hour.
Clean kennels, cages, bowls and other surfaces daily with a bleach solution at one part bleach to 30 parts water.
Require employees and volunteers to wash their hands with soap and water before and after handling a dog, cleaning up after a dog, and when they arrive at the facility.
Employees and volunteers should be instructed to not allow dogs to "kiss" or lick them in their faces.
Wash dog bedding with hot water, soap and bleach.
Instruct employees and volunteers to not share toys, bedding or bowls -- unless they have been disinfected with a bleach solution -- between dogs.
Quarantine any dog that is exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory illness.