Highly contagious respiratory diseases affect thousands of dogs every day in the United States along according to the ASPCA. Though not particularly debilitating, these diseases can cause great discomfort to your dog. The signs and symptoms should be closely watched for to ensure speedy treatment for your dog and to prevent other dogs from getting infected.
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Diseases
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Canine influenza has begun appearing in the dog population recently and it's highly contagious. Bordetella, also known as kennel, is a highly contagious disease also known as infectious tracheobronchitis. Bordetella typically lasts between 14 and 20 days with signs of disease appearing between 2 and 14 days from exposure to the Bordetella bronchiseptica virus.
Causes
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Canine influenza is believed to have originated from a strain of equine flu or horse flu. Canine influenza can be passed on to other canines through any secretion of the lungs like droplets and aerosols. Bordetella is caused by one of two viruses: canine distemper virus or canine adenovirus 2. These viruses can be transmitted through aerosols or contact with contaminated materials like food, toys and water. Kennel cough is another word for Bordetella because canines most commonly catch the disease when boarding in a kennel where ventilation may be insufficient.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of canine influenza can include sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge and rapid breathing much like humans. Your dog may also have a fever or have a loss of appetite. Bordetella causes to have a dry hacking cough that can sometimes sound like a "honk." Clear nasal discharge also appears though in most mild cases dogs still act and behave normally. Coughing up foamy white phlegm is also to be expected in cases of Bordetella.
Treaments
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There is no medication to treat canine influenza, just as in humans. The recommended treatment is supportive therapy good nutrition, a warm and comfortable place to lay, medications to prevent secondary infection and IV fluids to prevent dehydration in severe cases. When dealing with Bordetella, most veterinarians recommend that pet owners let the disease run its course and simply provide supportive care. Avoid smoking around your dog and make sure he or she is eating and drinking properly. Use of a vaporizer or humidifier can also be useful in relieving irritated airways.
Prevention
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Preventing exposure to viruses is the best way to prevent these diseases but that is not always a possibility. Vaccines are available for Bordetella but these inoculations do not provide complete protection from the disease. Bordetella vaccines help reduce the severity of complications from the disease. Because canine influenza is caused by a virus, there is no vaccine or preventative for it. All dogs are susceptible to contracting canine influenza and nearly 100 percent of dogs exposed to the virus will develop influenza according to the Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association.
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