Illnesses & Upper Respiratory Protocol

Any Illness & Upper Respiratory Protocol and more

Most illnesses are Upper Respiratory but this protocol will be for any illness for our boarding or daycare attendees.  Here is information on upper respiratory disease in dogs, our protocol for daycare to keep all dogs safe and frequently asked questions

Your dogs starts to cough, sneezing or has other symptoms for something going on with their upper respiratory system –

Now what do you do??

First make sure to check for other things to cause these symptoms

• Coughing

• • Allergies, pollen, dust mites, smoke, heart disease, something  stuck in mouth, tracheal collapse

• Sneezing

• • Allergies, pollen, dust mites, smoke, household cleaners, something stuck in nose (grass, weeds), mold

• Watery Eyes

• • Allergies, pollen, dust mites, smoke, household cleaners, something in eye, mold, perfumes, eye infection, conjunctivitis

Let’s look at the 3 most common Upper Respiratory problems in dogs –

Your dog may have one or more symptoms

• Bordatella
  • Persistent dry honking cough (sounds like they are going to cough up a lung)
  • This is also known as kennel cough, as it is most often exposed when around other dogs
  • Vaccinated once per year, however, it only protects some strains and not all, very similar to our Flu vaccine
• Influenza
  • Cough is not as pronounced, maybe intermittent
  • not routinely vaccinated but can be given once per year, ask your vet
• Parainfluenza
  • Cough is dry hacking which may worse with excitement or exertion
  • Low fever
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • this is part of your Distemper Vaccine

Possible other symptoms for all

• Runny Nose
• Sneezing
• Watery Eyes, discharge
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

Symptoms can appear 2-10 days after exposure

Most dogs will get better within 10 – 14 days

If you think your dog is getting worse, call your veterinarian

Antibiotics are generally not prescribed for viruses, however, they may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections that may develop into pneumonia in some cases

Cough suppressants may also be used, ask you vet

Isolation is key to prevent spreading, this should be a minimum of 10-14 days from first symptom.  Might be longer if symptoms are still noticed

• If on antibiotics, dogs should be isolated until finished
• If not on antibiotics, dogs should be 100% free of all symptoms, not coughing, even once for a minimum of 3 days before being around other dogs – NOT JUST FEELING BETTER but back to normal in all areas

Keep in Mind

• These respiratory diseases do raise their ugly heads 2-3 times per year, so be aware of symptoms and what to do.  
• Being airborne and dogs can get it literally anywhere, we all have to be careful and vigilant.
• NOTE – dogs can be asymptomatic (show no symptoms) or only show 1 or 2 symptoms and still be have an upper respiratory disease which makes it very hard to determine who has it
• NOTE – Keep in mind that many vets will automatically state that your dog has kennel cough when there is any cough and they hear your dog is in daycare 

 

Here is our Protocol   (as recommended by Veterinary Institutions)

• Any symptoms noticed, keep your dog home and notify us
  • If any symptoms are noticed at the Center, you will be notified to pick up quickly, your dog will be isolated
• If you see your vet, Follow Veterinary Instructions for any upper respiratory issue
• Keep your dog away from ALL other dogs for 10-14 days – write down the date of first symptom, longer if symptoms are still noticed
• Veterinarians may put your dog on antibiotics.
  • NOTE – if on an antibiotic, wait until this is finished before considering any play dates
  • Keep in mind that these upper respiratory issues are generally not contagious to humans
    • However, in very rare cases, bacteria from bordatella bronchiseptica may spread to a human
• Most of these diseases, do not live on surfaces for longer than 48 hours
  • Recommended to put food and water bowls in dishwasher daily during this period to sanitize
• The following are suggestions but something that may help
  • Wash your dog’s bedding and again 48 hours after completing treatment.  If your dog sleeps with you, do this with your bedding as well
  • Cleaning home – steam clean all carpeting and any furniture your dog may lay on, wash rugs, etc
  • Give your dog a thorough bath when symptoms start
  • Dietary Suggestion – add probiotics to daily diet or add yogurt (regular fat regular yogurt) to daily diet)
    • This may be helpful as its probiotic content supports the immune system, it is not a cure but helpful
      • Studies suggest probiotics can reduce susceptibility to respiratory viral infections, and since a large part of a dog’s immune system is in the gut, a healthier gut can lead to a stronger overall immunity. It is crucial to choose plain, unsweetened, low-fat yogurt and to give it in moderation, and always consult a veterinarian before adding it to your dog’s diet. 
• If after 10-14 days, your dogs has NO symptoms for at least 3 days prior, you may now consider play dates

• NOTE – if your dog shows ANY symptoms, it is BEST to WAIT.  Your dogs should have NO symptoms for a minimum of 3 days before considering putting them around other dogs

 

What is an upper respiratory disease, how do dogs get it, frequently asked questions and more

What is an upper respiratory disease

An upper respiratory disease in dogs is an illness affecting the nose, throat, and sinuses, typically caused by viruses or bacteria.

What is Air Borne

 “Airborne” means that the bacteria and viruses that cause a disease are transmitted through the air in tiny droplets when an infected dog coughs, sneezes, or barks. These droplets can be inhaled by other dogs, allowing the infection to spread quickly  

How do dogs contract this

Dogs can contract any upper respiratory diseases through various routes.  One way people may not expect, is by walking your dog.  This can be in your neighborhood, in a field, on a trail, hiking, and even at your Animal Hospital.  If your dog walks in an infected area and breathes, it is possible.

Remember that these diseases float in air when a dog sneezes.  They can land on surfaces and be there for 48 hours

Others ways  –  Consuming contaminated food or water

Contact with infected soil or surfaces:

• Walking or playing in areas where infected animals have been
• Licking contaminated objects

Transmission from other animals:

• Contact with infected dogs, playing, kissing and licking each other

 

 What about Vaccines? 

Dogs can be vaccinated for most upper respiratory diseases.  Unfortunately, no vaccine for humans or animals is 100% effective, however, vaccines will help lessen symptoms and most dogs will recover faster.

Is my dog contagious if still showing symptoms

Yes, This means the dog is shedding droplets that may be contagious

This is possible even if your dog is NOT showing any symptoms, which makes it hard to protect other dogs.  This is why there should be a minimum of 3 days or more with NO symptoms, not even 1 cough or sniffle.

 

To resume/start service at the Animal Center, ALL dogs must have NO symptoms for a minimum of 3 days prior.

If we see any symptoms 

– your dog will be quarantined away from other dogs and need to be picked up from our Center immediately and will need to wait another 10-14 days before returning

 

Will I get a credit for any missed days of daycare, due to this illness

There is no credit/refund for any missed days for any reason, however, missed days can be done as Make Up Days.  Just follow the Protocol for Make Up Days.

We must be advised as soon as possible about the missed/cancelled days.  

If your dog has not started with us yet, there will be no days missed.

What is the Make Up Day Protocol?

For current clients – Missed daycare days for ANY reason are not credited or refunded. Your monthly scheduled charge will stay the same. You can add make up days to make up for the lost days or other choices below.

If your dog has been on our schedule, at the time of notifying us of an upper respiratory issue and receiving this protocol email, there is no credit or refund, but you have 3 choices 

FIRST, let us know immediately, if you wish to choose either of the first 2 choices.  If we do not hear from you before your dog returns, choice number 3 will be the choice.

1. ADD the number of daycare days missed to the future as make up days
   To do this, you would add make up days to your regular schedule.  So if you normally come on Tuesday/Thursday, your makeup days can be scheduled on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday – If you are adding days for make up, you MUST let me know these are makeup days, otherwise the program will add them as regular days and they will be charged. I have to physically go into the program and take the charge out.
2. Do in your home mid day visits while your dog is being treated, your missed daycare price will be deducted from those visits (a completed profile is required with Professional Pet Sitting Etc
3. Do nothing.  Some clients do not wish to make up the missed days in any way

NOTE – If you want Makeup days for daycare – 

• Makeup days can only be scheduled within a current paid Daycare Membership for the month, already scheduled with your regular days
• Makeup days can NOT be used for regular scheduled days, make up days are days over and above your regular schedule. 
  • For example – if you normally come every Tues/Thurs, make up days must be scheduled on a Mon/Wed/Thur
  • If you choose to NOT do Make Up days, no problem and you understand that there is no credit/refund
• Notify the office via email, within the first week your pup is out. 
• Let us know that you want to schedule make up days and give us the extra dates you want us to schedule. 
• This should be done BEFORE your dog is healthy and back to daycare.
  • if your dog comes back to daycare, that is too late
• We must physically go into the program to prevent these makeup days from being charged, so you must specifically tell us that the dates you are giving us are for makeup days. 
  • If not, they will be charged as regular days that have been added.  There are many clients who do not want make up days or use other services (like pet sitting), so you need to specify.

Again, Any missed or cancelled days due to being treated for upper respiratory issues or for any reason, that have passed, are not credited or refunded. If you want in your home mid day visits, make sure you are registered and have a completed profile with Professional Pet Sitting Etc (our other company), so we can make that reservation.

Also keep in mind, that your dog may not be able to participate in an activity on a makeup day, simply because they were not on the schedule when the activity was planned a month or two ago.  We always try to include but sometimes it may not be possible.

NOTE – IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER about Switching Days or Make Up Days

• Switching days or Make Up days are solely the owner’s responsibility as we are simply super busy giving your dog the best experience. Plus the majority do not wish to switch days or make up days and understand that there is no refund/credit.
• ALL days you wish to Switch or Make up MUST be done quickly, following protocols for each.
• Once days have passed, switching days or make up days are no longer available. 
• A few days, weeks or more after the day(s) in question can not be asked for switching or make up days.

 

Is Day Boarding available as long as my dog is not in play group?

• Unfortunately not.  Just having your dog in the building can create a possible infection, coming through the front door and lobby area.
• But if you pet stays home, you can use in home visits with our Professional Pet Sitting Etc company.  You do need to be registered and create a Pet Care Profile in that program (about 20 minutes to do once you ask for a login)

 

Can my dog get reinfected

• Absolutely!!!! 
• Which is why we follow veterinary recommendations that dogs should remain home, isolated from other dogs for at least 10-14 days from first symptom and ONLY return after dogs have been symptom free for at least 3 days, with not even one cough or sniffle to protect ALL dogs

 

What do we do at the Animal Center 

• Our special K9 Turf is hygienic, easily cleaned and sprayed down, microbiology infused turf kills parasites and disease
  • It has superior drainage, keeping turf dry, which most diseases thrive in a moist environment
  • our turf gets direct sun daily, as most diseases dry out and are killed in sun
• We wash surfaces, dishes and other areas often and deep clean in times like these

 

What can you do to keep my dog free of airborne diseases

• Unfortunately, it is not easy.  The ONLY way is to keep your dog free of airborne diseases is to seclude away from other dogs 100% of the time.

Thank you for keeping all dogs at our facility healthy