Natural Pet Health

Canine infectious tracheobronchitis is more commonly known as kennel cough, and it is a highly contagious disease of a dog’s respiratory tract. Although not a serious disease in itself, canine kennel cough should be attended to immediately as this can at times lead to severe pneumonia as well as canine distemper, both of which can prove fatal to your dog.

Kennel Cough can be caught from many venues including your neighbor’s dog, from a dog at a dog show, from the animal hospital, or boarding kennels. Kennel cough is caused by an airborne virus, which is highly contageous, so your dog should be kept away from other animals until he is completely clear of the disease. It is of even greater concern in very young puppies as infection can progress to fatal pneumonia.

While you may or may not indulge your pet in couture-inspired clothing or decadent faux diamond collars, you likely still have ideas in mind for how to reciprocate for the daily loving and affection received from your pet this holiday season.

According to statistics, in the United States, there are now more dogs per household than children, and in the UK, while the human birth rate has been falling over the past decade, nearly half the population now owns a pet, says the Norwich Union. Given these numbers, it seems many can agree that pets are like our “kids”, and treated as such with special attention in the household.

Basically cough is a body’s natural way of indicating that there is something wrong inside the body and especially in the respiratory system. Dogs, like humans, cough due to many reasons. The type of cough is often, but not always, sufficient indication of the cause. A dry hacking cough is a typical symptom of kennel cough in dogs.

Kennel cough is an infection that dogs usually acquire when exposed to other dogs with a similar infection. Dogs that have been recently boarded or those that have returned from dog shows are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Kennel cough is commonly caused by parainfluenza, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and mycoplasma. Other possible infectious agents include adenovirus, reovirus and the canine herpes virus. In majority of the cases it is a disease caused by a combination of bacterial and viral infection.

A recent outbreak of canine Parvovirus (CPV) — a highly contagious, potentially deadly, and the most common infectious disorder in dogs in the United States — caused a great upset with the Pennsylvania SPCA.

The PSPCA handled 25 cases in one week alone, breaking an unfortunate record of the most cases they have encountered in such a short time span. There is still much to be learned about the disease itself as well as the best ways to control it, but prevention is possible.

A lot of people would like to know whether their dogs and cats can catch common colds like humans do. The answer is YES and NO!

Symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing and coughing can develop as a result of a viral, bacterial or fungal infection in the canine or feline respiratory system. But while human colds are usually associated with a change in season, cat and dog colds are independent of seasonality and are usually caused by a virus.

Many pet owners bring their dog or cat to a vet, kennel or cattery while traveling. The risk of infection increases greatly. In addition, the holidays are often a time of high-travel, and pets may come along for the journey.

More and more, the number of pet owners reporting behaviors closely resembling senility have been on the rise.

While your vet may not be able to give your furry friend a scientifically proven diagnosis, that doesn’t mean your pet isn’t exhibiting symptoms of the serious ailment commonly experienced by humans.

Domesticated dogs and cats are also becoming afflicted with more and more health disorders these days. This is likely attributed to factors like pollution, poor nutrition, stress, and unhealthy lifestyles.

Conversely, they are also living longer due to advanced medical care and home environments, and experiencing conditions that were not often seen in their predecessors because they rarely reached a certain age.

What is Kennel Cough and what are the symptoms?

Kennel cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that often affects animals that are kept in a confined space such as boarding kennels, dog shows or veterinary hospitals.

Symptoms include a persistent dry hacking cough or bouts of deep harsh coughing often followed by gagging, which may produce a foamy mucus.

What is the conventional treatment?

Mild cases may improve without treatment. Conventional treatment of kennel cough often involves antibiotics which tend to relieve the animal’s symptoms fairly quickly, but also have a general weakening effect on their immune system, which can cause further problems, especially in the long-term.

Dogs can be infected by different kinds of throat infections and conditions. The saliva in the mouth plays a critical role in the prevention of such infections.

The parotid and mandibular glands in the mouth of a dog produce most of the daytime and nocturnal saliva. Besides these there are two more glands that secrete saliva.

Dog saliva is alkaline and it contains antibacterial enzymes, which along with the normal flora of bacteria provide protection against throat infections. Despite this protection, canine throat infections can occur due to a number of reasons. These are:

- Cuts
– Burns
– Foreign bodies stuck in the mouth
– Diseases of the gums
– Structures that support the teeth
– Metabolic diseases like kidney failure.
– Systemic diseases like parvovirus infection, distemper, herpes and pseudo rabies

From inclement weather to hectic travel schedules, your pooch or kitty has probably endured some stress as the holidays wrapped up and the full, blustery force of the winter season kicked in.

Restoring health after illness or guarding against harsh winter conditions can go a long way in the well-being of your pet.

Recovery and Boosting Immunity

Perhaps your pet had to be boarded while you and your family left home this past holiday season, or it was exposed to new animals (and potential illness) while visiting distant friends or relatives.

To boost immunity and energy levels after such conditions, consider supplementing your pet’s diet with PetAlive KC-Defense, an effective respiratory tonic to prevent against Kennel Cough and other viral infections.

Advice for a healthy pet without breaking the bank

In times of economical hardship, we all try to find ways to reduce excess spending and cut corners when possible… sometimes even at the expense of their personal and family’s health. Unfortunately, their furry friends’ well-being may be compromised during this downturn, as well—potentially leading to more expensive complications down the road.

Pet owners often consider cutting back on grooming and maintenance for their pets, especially when they appear to be in strong physical condition. According to veterinarian John Berg at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, taking your pet in for check-ups and addressing slight problems right away can lead to reduced costs in long-term care, as many diseases are potentially preventable. As diseases advance, the cost of treatment also increases. Therefore, early detection and regular maintenance can go a long way to building a strong foundation for your pet’s health.