Sneezing, Coughing, and Wheezing, Oh My! Help Stop the Spread of Kennel Cough

Every year, dogs enter kennels for the Christmas holidays, and come home coughing. Kennel cough, also known as bordatella, is a respiratory infection that affects dogs.

It is caused by a number of different bacteria and viruses, and it is highly contagious. It can be transmitted through the air (most prevalent), through contact with contaminated surfaces, or through contact with infected dogs.

It IS possible that bordatella can be spread on clothing or shoes from one dog to another as the respiratory secretions can stay on those materials, subsequently making a dog sick that wasn't even in direct contact with the sick dog.

So basically, a dog walker, even if walking dogs solo, can spread the infection to dogs they walk after the sick dog. DC is also seeing a spike in respiratory infections causing pneumonia...yikes!

So we ask that if your dog is exhibiting signs of sickness, to please cancel your walks until they are better, EVEN

if your dog is walked solo.

While we try to wash sanitize hands throughout the day, it isn't reasonable or feasible to change clothes and shoes after services with sick dogs.

**And because you're probably wondering, Bordatella is not transmissible to humans**

Stay healthy, friends!!