Capitol Hill resident and head of the Citizens Off Leas Areas group Patrick Jones has sent CHS this warning about an illness moving through the county’s canine population. While we’re talking pets today on CHS, we thought area dog owners might appreciate the warning:
Dear COLA Members,
We have received communications from 2 veterinarians in Western Washington that a nasty kennel cough has begun making the rounds in our part of the state. This infection, although not serious for most dogs, may last for weeks. Vaccines do not cover all strains of this virus and antibiotics are not particularly helpful. It is VERY CONTAGIOUS and can travel through the air several hundred feet to infect another dog.
If your dog has signs of a respiratory infection, please do not expose other dogs by taking him/her to a dog park.
Signs that your dog may have kennel cough: cough (usually a deep “honking” cough), sneezing, and/or red eye margins.
Holistic vets suggest the following may help a dog’s defense system fight the infection: 2 mg of echinacea per 30 pounds body weight twice a day plus 500 mg Vit C.
If your dog has received the kennel cough vaccination (nasal) and still contracts the respiratory infection, you may want to have your vet check with the pharmaceutical company as they might cover the cost of necessary vet care.
May you have a happy, healthy holiday season,
The COLA Board
Patrick Jones
Chairman
Citizens for Off Leash Areas
www.coladog.org
[email protected]
Parvo is also making its rounds through Seattle right now. It’s a very dangerous disease! If you have a dog, please check in with your vet to see if you need to vaccinate!
The article above was not approved by the health advisor on the COLA Board before it was posted. Please disregard the information as COLA will not ever suggest any actual medical advice like the giving of supplements. Please contact Kaitlin Krhounek, the COLA Vice Chair and health advisor if there are questions at [email protected].
you know, that’s excellent advice. With two different diseases making the rounds in the news plus stories of a sick coyote on the loose, it’s probably a good idea for everybody to make sure their pets are vaccinated against anything and everything.
My dog picked up a case of kennel cough at Petsmart one time and it was not a lot of fun. Gotta be careful with that stuff.