How to Control & Prevent Kennel Cough in a Kennel

Prevent kennel cough in your kennel.

Kennel cough is one of the most contagious and prevalent diseases among dogs. Kennel cough is usually caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica or the virus canine parainfluenza. Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection that causes dogs to have a dry, honking cough and sometimes a runny nose. It is usually spread more rapidly in places where dogs are in close confinement such as kennels, shelters, doggy day cares and groomers. There are steps a kennel owner can take to control and prevent kennel cough in their kennel.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Water
• Bucket
• Mop
• Hose
• Germicidal spray

Instructions

1. Disinfect kennels on a regular basis. If a dog keeps his kennel clean and free of urine or feces, you can clean the kennel after the dog leaves. If a dog's kennel is not clean, pick up the mess and spray a disinfectant with bleach to prevent the spread of germs. Rinse the kennel after you clean it with bleach.

2. Clean food and water dishes after each dog leaves. You can rinse them with warm water and soap or run them through the dishwasher.

3. Clean each kennel with a mixture of soap and water. Mix soap and warm water in a bucket and mop the kennel. Spray with clean water to rinse.

4. Spray each kennel with a germicidal spray after mopping. A germicidal spray is any spray that will kill bacteria. It usually has bleach. You can also mix one part bleach to 32 parts water for your own solution. Once again, rinse the kennel with water after using any cleaners.

5. Separate any dogs that show signs of kennel cough from other dogs. Even though symptoms only last around 10 days, dogs shed the bacteria for 6 to 14 weeks after infection. Keep dogs with confirmed cases of kennel cough quarantined for at least 14 weeks, unless your vet says otherwise.

6. Require dogs at your kennel to be vaccinated before you board them. The vaccine is necessary at least once a year, but if you are in an area prone to infection, you may want to institute a policy requiring vaccination every six months.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your kennel has good air ventilation. Kennels without sufficient air ventilation foster more rapid growth of the bacteria that causes kennel cough. Ventilation is not usually a problem if you have an outdoor kennel. Indoor kennels should have plenty of windows.

References

• University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine: Best to Prevent Kennel Cough
• PetEducation.com: Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis) in Dogs
• The Humane Society of the United States: How to Clean a Dog Kennel