Disease Information

Rabies Virus

Rabies is a rhabdovirus affecting warm blooded animals with wildlife such as skunks, raccoons, foxes and bats serving as typical reservoirs in North America. Rabies is the least common viral disease in cats and dogs, and it is transmitted almost always due to the bite of an infected animal (ingestion or inhalation less likely). Rabies affects the central nervous system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system and the salivary glands. The signs of the virus include change in temperament, hypersensitivity, photophobia, paralysis and it is eventually fatal. At WHVC we vaccinate all healthy cats and dogs for this deadly virus.

Feline Distemper (FVRCP Vaccine)

Also known as panleukopenia (meaning "all-white shortage"), feline distemper is caused by a parvovirus that is present virtually every place that is not regularly disinfected. It is extremely stable in the environment and therefore it's expected that all cats will be exposed to this virus at some time in their lives. Feline distemper is a life-threatening disease and the infection is highly contagious among unvaccinated cats, usually those living in groups. An infected cat sheds large amounts of virus in all body secretions including feces, vomit, urine, saliva and mucus.

Feline distemper virus enters the body through the mouth or the nose and whether illness results depends on the immunity the cat has versus the number of individual viral particles entering the body. Because most cats are exposed to panleukopenia at some point it is unusual for kittens not to have some immunity to the virus, and since the vaccine for distemper is very effective the average house cat is very well protected.

After the virus enters by inhalation or ingestion it begins to infect rapidly dividing cells. The lymph nodes of the throat are first and then over the next week the virus hits the bone marrow and the intestine. The virus suppresses the production of all types of white blood cells, which is where it gets its name. This leaves the cat vulnerable to the virus and open to other infections as well. In the cat's intestine the virus causes ulceration that leads to diarrhea (dehydration) and bacterial infections as the barrier between the body and intestinal bacteria is lost. Infected cats usually die from the dehydration or the secondary bacterial infections.

Clinical signs of feline distemper may include fever, appetite loss, diarrhea and/or vomiting with a very low white blood cell count. Kittens with these symptoms and white cell counts this low should be tested for the infection. There is a test designed to detect parvovirus in the stool of dogs that can be used to detect the virus in cats (canine parvovirus is a mutation of the feline distemper virus) and combined with the patient's symptoms a diagnosis can be made. Laboratory methods including virus isolation, PCR testing and antibody titers are also potential tests for distemper.

A cat infected with the virus can survive if they can be kept alive until their immune system recovers from the panleukopenia and can beat the infection. Typical treatment includes antibiotics and aggressive fluid therapy to control dehydration. There is little chance of survival without hospitalization, but cats that do beat the infection generally recover without any permanent damage and have lifetime immunity.

The virus is shed by the cat for up to six weeks after recovery so it is advisable to disinfect the environment and vaccinate any new cats.

At WHVC we offer a vaccine for panleukopenia in combination with feline rhinotracheitis virus and feline calicivirus, both of which can cause acute respiratory symptoms in cats. These symptoms may include sneezing, nasal inflammation, nasal and ocular discharge, oral ulceration and pneumonia. These viruses are spread by direct contact between infected cats and by contact with contaminated objects in the environment. The vaccine is efficacious and is recommended for all healthy kittens and adult cats.

Feline leukemia (FeLV)

Feline leukemia is a retrovirus, which means the virus inserts its genetic material into that of the cells it infects. This is a fatal disease in cats, usually due to a progressive anemia as the bone marrow loses its ability to produce red blood cells. Immune suppression can also result and the virus is known for inducing lymphoma in leukemia positive cats. Viral particles are shed in the saliva, nasal secretions,, feces, urine and milk of infected cats. Feline leukemia can be transmitted by bite wounds, grooming and rarely by sharing litter boxes and feeding dishes. An infected mother can transmit the virus to her kittens before birth or through her milk after birth. The cats most at risk are outdoor cats which come into contact with other cats that may be infected. We recommend testing all newly adopted kittens or cats of ambiguous status followed by an initial and booster vaccination for cats at risk. The clinical signs of the virus can include anemia, jaundice, depression, weight loss, decreased appetite, diarrhea or constipation, blood in stool, respiratory distress, lethargy, excessive drinking and urination, secondary infections, neoplastic disease (primarily lymphoma), and infections from immune suppression. The major causes of death for infected cats are tumors, anemia and chronic infections. Feline leukemia is diagnosed by a simple blood test that detects the presence of the viral antigen. There is no cure for this virus and the only treatment is supportive care for the secondary infections that develop. If a cat without severe symptoms is diagnosed with leukemia it can be managed at home as an indoor cat as long as the risk is low it will infect other cats. In multiple-cat houses there is about a 10-15% chance of a leukemia positive cat infecting a leukemia negative cat if they are exposed to each other for several months. The virus dies within twenty four hours in the environment so close, prolonged contact is required for transmission. The virus is killed easily by heat, drying, soaps and disinfectants. Euthanasia may be recommended for cats that test positive and exhibit clinical signs that compromise their quality of life or for cats that are likely to infect others. Preventing the spread of Feline leukemia virus involves responsible pet ownership in the form of testing and vaccination for cats at risk. The vaccine doesn't completely protect all cats from leukemia but offers increased protection and has decreased the incidence of the disease as a whole.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

FIP virus is a fatal disease of cats caused by a pathogenic coronavirus infection. The FIP virus is a genetic mutant of a common benign virus of the intestines called Feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). The mutation responsible for producing the fatal virus is a small one but it lets the virus grow in cells other than those lining the gut, specifically in monocytes or macrophages involved in cellular immunity.

Feline infectious peritonitis is an immune complex mediated disease, which means systemic antibodies do not protect the cat. Antibodies already circulating actually accelerate disease symptoms and cats don't die of FIP unless they make antibodies to the virus. This is called antibody-dependent enhancement because the complex formed between the virus and the antibody results in infection of cells instead of virus neutralization. Infected phagocytic cells move throughout the body and the mutant virus is then spread from the gut to other organs.

If white blood cells don't find and kill the virus where it tries to enter the body then the humoral immune system steps in with antibody production. Antibodies are proteins in blood made by plasma cells in the bone marrow which respond to specific antigens. Antigens are seen as foreign agents by the body and include viruses, bacteria, fungi or anything else that isn't recognized as "self". B cells in bone marrow get antibodies on their surface which will respond to and bind with its antigen, in this case FIP virus. Once these B cells form a bond with their antigen they differentiate into plasma cells that can produce the specific antibody for the virus. The result is usually neutralization of toxins, immobilization of microorganisms to allow phagocytosis by white blood cells, activation of complement which "primes" invaders to be eliminated from the system and populations of memory cells that will be able to produce the specific antibody in the future.

Unfortunately, the antibody-virus complex containing FIPV is very harmful to the body and the cat's own immune response appears to be the cause of death for infected cats.

How the FIP infection proceeds is determined by cell-mediated immunity. This is part of the immune system's protection designed to respond when an antigen has gotten into cells.

The cellular immune system consists of the white blood cells that find and destroy pathogens infecting cells. If the immune system produces humoral antibodies but fails to mount an effective response to FIPV growing inside cells an intense inflammatory reaction develops in the tissues where the infected cells locate to. This is termed the "wet" form of FIP. The "dry" form is thought to result from a partially protective response to infection within cells that is unable to completely contain the virus. Cats that don't have a good cell mediated response may be more susceptible to the disease. Cats that mount a quick and successful cell mediated response don't develop active FIPV but do carry the latent virus. These "immune carriers" are not sick but can reactivate their latent infection and may periodically shed infectious FIPV, providing a source of infection for other cats.
Feline infectious peritonitis tends to affect cats bred and/or raised in catteries or multiple cat households most. Stress, crowding, poor sanitation, parasitism and concurrent diseases (particularly immunosuppressive diseases like FeLV and FIV) may increase likelihood of cats contracting FIP in these environments. Cats that don't produce antibodies to the virus don't die of FIP and about 75% of average housecats don't have pre-existing antibodies against coronavirus. However, in catteries about 80-90% of pure-bred cats do have circulating antibodies for coronavirus and the fatal immune response is more likely.

The two forms of lethal FIP are also known as the non-effusive (dry) form and the effusive (wet) form. The clinical signs of lethal FIP may be acute or severity may gradually increase over several weeks. Cats may have nonspecific signs such as weight loss, sporadic lack of appetite, lethargy, eye disease, rapid breathing, rough hair coat, selling of the abdomen and fever.

The effusive form of the virus is characterized by ascites, or abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. The fluid accumulation is due to vasculitis from the body's response to the circulating virus-antibody complexes. The inflammation damages small blood vessels and allows leakage of serum protein and fluid into body cavities. The abdomen is most common but sometimes fluid is also found in space around the lungs and heart, which may cause breathing problems for infected cats. Death usually results within five to seven weeks.

FIP virus is shed in the secretions and excretions of infected cats, but fortunately cats that have FIP and do shed the virus shed the FECV form. Transmission is by oral or nasal routes so close contact is required for infection. FIP can remain infectious under ideal conditions for at least six weeks and up to several months. It is easily destroyed by most disinfectants and detergents but a 1:32 dilution of bleach and water will definitely kill the virus in the environment.

A commercial vaccine was developed for FIPV but doctors at Cornell University did not support the manufacturer's experimental trials which reported it as "reasonably efficacious". Because this virus kills cats by using their own immune response development of a successful vaccine would need to find a way around the antibody-dependent enhancement that characterizes the disease. Also, it's expected that the only cats that are enough at risk to need protection are in catteries and already have coronavirus antibodies so a vaccine would need to include a strict isolation program in order to prevent infection of kittens being adopted out.

FIPV can be difficult to diagnose because testing is not very accurate and clinical signs (except ascites) can appear to be many other diseases. Antibody titers for coronavirus can be measured but it is not FIPV specific. Most laboratory tests are only suggestive of FIP infection and the diagnosis is usually "suspected" FIP until a necropsy can confirm infection.

There currently is no known effective treatment for FIP. The most promising treatment is not really promising at all, but consists of combination therapy with an antiviral to stop virus replication and an immune response modifier to enhance protective immune defenses.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus FIV is classified as a lentivirus in the same family of retroviruses as Feline leukemia. FIV positive cats may be asymptomatic for years but infection eventually leads to immune system suppression that leaves the cat susceptible to other infections that can cause severe illness or death.

Cats most at risk for infection are outdoor cats that may fight with and be bitten by a cat with FIV. Bite wounds seem to be the primary route of transmission for this virus but rarely FIV is transmitted to kittens by an infected mother cat either during passage through the birth canal or through infected milk. Sexual transfer is possible but is not a major means of spreading the disease.

FIV is commonly diagnosed by an in-hospital blood test that detects the presence of antibodies in the infected cat's blood. It takes about eight to twelve weeks after infection before detectable levels of antibodies appear in circulation. It's rare for cats to ever eliminate infection so the presence of antibodies is considered a positive indication of infection, but a false-positive can be ruled out using a test of a different format. Kittens born to infected mothers may receive positive results for several months after birth but few actually are or will become infected. Kittens tested at younger than six months of age should be retested at sixty day intervals until they are at least six months old.

A vaccine for FIV does exist but is not available at WHVC. We don't recommend the vaccine because the risk associated with vaccination seems to outweigh the benefit. First, the vaccine was made using two out of five strains of the virus and tested using only one strain. What does this mean? It means that vaccination may not be protecting cats at all because certain strains of the virus are found in certain geographical areas and the strains used to make the vaccine aren't necessarily those your cat will encounter. Also, the vaccine contains an adjuvant to improve its ability to stimulate the immune system, which has been linked to vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats.

Yearly testing for outdoor cats at risk is recommended since FIV can live in the body for years undetected before AIDS develops and immune suppression unmasks the infection. Cats positive for FIV should be kept indoors to prevent the spread of the disease and to reduce their exposure to infectious agents. FIV infected cats should be spayed or neutered and should be fed nutritionally complete and balanced diets, keeping in mind that raw diets should be avoided due to the risk of food-borne bacterial and parasitic infections. There is no cure for FIV and treatment consists of supportive care for an immunocompromised cat.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is the most common parasite affecting dogs, and despite wordwide distribution of the disease it is most prevalent in the U.S. to the east of the Mississippi River.
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. A mosquito carrying the parasites will deposit larvae onto the dog's skin and they slowly make their way through the tissue to the blood stream. In the blood the larvae become microfilaria, which can be seen under a microscope in an infected dog's blood. The parasites settle on the right side of the dog's heart and as the microfilaria become adults and grow larger they cause fatal heart problems.
Do cats get Heartworm? Yes, but cats aren't the natural host so infection is rare. Mosquitoes that carry heartworm actually prefer to feed on dogs. Also, if larvae do make their way into a cat's skin it is unlikely they will reach the heart at all. Microfilaria can't usually be seen in a cat's blood because their immune system is so effective at removing it.
In dogs the clinical signs of Heartworm often include lethargy, vomiting, coughing, difficulty breathing, weight loss, collapse, convulsions or sudden death. Treatment of Canine heartworm involves killing adult heartworms and microfilaria, which must be done slowly with several visits to the vet and strict exercise restriction to avoid heart failure.
Fortunately, there is a way to prevent Heartworm disease in dogs and it comes in the form of flavored, treat-like tablets that are given once monthly. Most Heartworm preventatives also prevent populations of intestinal parasites as well. At WHVC we recommend puppies begin on Heartworm meds after their first visit to the vet so we provide the first Interceptor or Sentinel tablet as part of their first physical exam. We usually check for Heartworm using a simple blood test when dogs are about a year old if treatment began as a puppy. An adult dog whose status is unknown should be tested before beginning Heartworm preventative. Puppies can usually forego this for awhile since it is unlikely they would get heartworm in their first few months alive.
At WHVC we recommend giving preventative year-round, not just April - November because "mosquito season" isn't always so well defined. For dogs that are given meds year round we only test for Heartworm every other year, and for dogs who receive preventative for part of the year we recommend testing yearly.
We carry Interceptor and Sentinel flavor tabs for prevention of Canine Heartworm disease. Interceptor and Sentinel both use Milbemycin oxime as an anthelmentic. This is believed to work by interfering with invertebrate neurotransmission in the tissue stage of the larvae, causing death before they become microfilaria in the blood. This also adversely affects the adult hookworm(Sentinel), roundworm and whipworm so monthly treatment should also prevent infestation by these intestinal parasites. Note that Roundworms and Hookworms are transmissible to humans.
In addition, Sentinel flavor tabs also contain Lufenuron, which is an insect development inhibitor. After a flea bites a dog treated with Sentinel it will then be deposited in her eggs, most of which will never hatch or won't mature into adults. (See flea product chart on information page)

Canine Distemper (DHPP)

The Canine distemper virus is closely related to human measles and bovine rinderpest viruses. Distemper is an RNA virus from the morbillivirus family. The fatty envelope around the virus is unstable in the environment and is required for infection, so dog to dog contact or contact with extremely fresh body secretions is necessary to transmit the virus.

Dogs that get distemper are usually young, mostly puppies or dogs with incomplete vaccine histories. Puppies are most susceptible during the period between losing protection from maternal antibodies and when they begin their vaccination series. Canine distemper is found throughout the world but incidence is decreasing as vaccination increases.

After entering the body the virus goes through a latent period of ten to fourteen days during which no clinical signs are observed. When symptoms appear they start with discharge from the eyes and nose, sporadic fever, poor appetite, lethargy, coughing and pneumonia. The virus attacks mucous membranes starting with the respiratory tract and eventually moving on to cause vomiting and diarrhea as well as hardening of the nose and foot pads. After causing respiratory and gastrointestinal disease the virus moves into the neurologic phase. This is expected about one to three weeks after surviving the initial infection and includes seizures, behavioral changes, circling and other problems.

The virus is shed in most body secretions and enters the dog's body by the nose or mouth and begins to replicate. When the virus is engulfed by macrophages of the immune system it actually uses the macrophage for transportation throughout the dog's body. Within twenty-four hours the virus is in the lymph nodes of the lung and after almost a week the virus has made its way to the spleen, stomach, small intestine and the liver. The infected dog should have the characteristic fever at this point. After about eight or nine days an immune response should be mounted and the efficiency of the immune system will determine how the infection plays out. A strong immune system can start to clear the virus and eliminate symptoms by the two week mark. A weak immune response may allow the virus to infect the epithelial cells, including those lining the chambers of the brain. The symptoms observed in infected dogs are not constant and some dogs have only a few symptoms and some have many, life-threatening symptoms. The virus can lie dormant for a long time in the nervous system and in the skin even after the infection was considered to be cleared. Due to this ability to "hide" the characteristic hardening of the skin and seizures can occur again later on, so the endpoint of the infection is ambiguous.

The typical vaccine for Distemper also includes Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza. It is possible to vaccinate for Distemper virus alone. The vaccine is given to puppies with at least one booster after the loss of maternal antibodies. At WHVC we recommend starting a vaccination series for puppies using Continuum DAP at about eight weeks of age with a booster at twelve weeks and all subsequent boosters are every three years. Antibody titers are available before boostering to determine strength of existing immunity because protection may last longer than three years.

Canine Distemper is diagnosed based upon clinical signs, vaccine and exposure histories and an antibody titer. Puppies with recent vaccination may exhibit clinical signs. Antibody titers are affected by recent vaccination, so alone it cannot verify infection. A high IgM antibody titer indicates recent infection or recent vaccination and there isn't a way to tell which. Clumps of the virus called "Distemper inclusion bodies" can be seen under the microscope inside infected cells. Antibodies against Distemper can be tagged with fluorescent markers and will bind to the virus if it is present. This makes the inclusion bodies easier to see and can be used to confirm Distemper infection. However, if inclusion bodies are not detected by this method it doesn't mean there isn't an infection because these inclusion bodies eventually become coated with the dog's own antibodies, which actually block the fluorescent-tagged antibodies. Cerebrospinal fluid can be analyzed to check distemper antibody levels in neurologic distemper cases. Vaccine-induced antibodies don't cross the blood-brain barrier so vaccination won't affect these results. Also, a biopsy of the hardened nose or foot pads can be performed to test for distemper inclusion bodies late in the infection. The bottom line is that a combination of several methods can be used to diagnose Distemper.

Treatment for Distemper is typically directed towards the clinical signs and supportive nursing care to prevent secondary infections. This includes providing comfort, warmth, fluids and disinfecting the environment. The virus is unstable on its own and only lasts about three or four weeks outside its host.

Preventing Distemper infections in dogs includes vaccination, avoiding contact with infected dogs and isolation of puppies until they are vaccinated.

Ehrlichia

Ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease of dogs first seen in military dogs coming back from Vietnam in the 70's. It is also known as "Tropical Pancytopenia". The disease-causing organism is a rickettisa called Ehrlichia canis, which is similar to bacteria. It infects white blood cells of the host and different types of Ehrlichia infect and live within different types of white cells. Ehrlichia are spread through tick bites, with the brown dog tick being the main source of infection.

There are three phases of the disease, including the acute, sub-clinical and chronic
stage. The acute phase lasts about two to four weeks, during which a fever, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory distress, bleeding disorders, weight loss and nervous system abnormalities are observed. During this phase the organism is replicating and attaching to white blood cell membranes. Most dogs will clear the organism on their own, but some move on to the second stage of infection. Next, the sub-clinical phase begins and no clinical signs are apparent. This is because the organism is "hiding" out in the spleen and this phase can last for months or years with no indication of infection beyond a reduced platelet count and maybe an increased Globulin level (from prolonged immune system stimulation). The dog may continue to shed Ehrlichia during this stage, either eliminating it fully from the body or progressing to the chronic stage.
The last stage of the disease results in anemia, blood clotting problems, lameness, eye problems, swollen limbs and nervous system problems.

A blood test can be done to determine exposure to Ehrlichia, and this is usually a Heartworm/Lyme/Ehrlichia combination test. A test will not show a positive result for two to three weeks after contact, and a positive test does not indicate an Ehrlichia infection. A dog with clinical signs that tests positive for exposure to the organism can be treated. It is recommended that dogs with suspected infections receive a combination of PCR testing and antibody titers to confirm it. Sometimes the Ehrlichia can be seen on a blood smear and the diagnosis can be made that way. A combination of clinical signs, blood testing and PCR is the best method of disease confirmation.

Treating Ehrlichiosis starts with correcting severe anemia or bleeding problems. Tetracycline antibiotics (Doxycycline used most) are effective against intracellular blood parasites, and usually at least a month of treatment is necessary. If the infected dog has immune-mediated secondary reactions to the Ehrlichia then a corticosteroid may be prescribed until the antibiotics start working.

It is possible for dogs to become infected again after completing treatment because immunity doesn't last after infection. Preventing Ehrlichia infection includes eliminating contact with ticks, either by avoidance or using products such as K9 Advantix and Frontline or Preventic collars to detach ticks quickly.

For more information on Ehrlichia visit the following link:

www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/deehrlichia.html

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms of the disease in people begin with fatigue, headache, and often a characteristic rash. If not treated in humans Lyme can progress to include cardiac, neurologic and arthritic signs. Infected animals will often only show arthritic signs, which may occur with fatigue and poor appetite.

Borrelia burgdorferi has been found in many wild animals. Horses, cows, and cats can harbor the bacteria but the infection is most common in the dog. Lyme disease seems to have a worldwide distribution. In the United States the areas with the highest activity are the northeastern seaboard, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Northern California. In the valley spring and fall are the worst times of the year for ticks and preventative measures are recommended.

Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites. Some biting insects have been found to carry Borrelia burgdorferi but they are not considered to be major transmitters of the disease. Usually the tick needs to be attached for 24-48 hours to transmit the bacteria. The natural incubation period for onset of the disease is unknown, but it usually takes about three to six weeks for production of antibodies to begin because the bacteria can "hide" in cells that line the blood vessels and lie dormant in connective tissue. This allows the bacteria to evade the dog's immune response, which is how we test for the disease. Laboratory and clinical signs can occur anywhere from two to five months after exposure. Clinical signs can include sudden onset of joint swelling, lameness, fever and lethargy. Lyme can affect the heart, kidneys and nervous system of infected dogs but symptoms mimicking arthritis are most common.

A vaccine for Lyme disease is available for dogs to help strengthen their immune response to the bacteria. The vaccine doesn't prevent Lyme disease, it only provides increased protection. At WHVC we vaccinate dogs at risk for contact with ticks, administering a booster vaccine a few weeks later then repeating it annually.

A positive antibody test for Lyme disease only means that your pet has been exposed to the bacteria at some point in time. This test does not indicate infection by itself. This test is frequently performed at yearly physical exams or when a dog is showing clinical signs of Lyme disease. If the test for exposure is positive, another test called a quantitative C6 can be performed to measure the amount of antibodies produced specifically for Borrelia Burgdorferi. Keep in mind that it can take three to six weeks for production of these antibodies to begin after becoming infected. If the C6 number is high and the dog exhibits symptoms treatment is recommended. The decision to treat the infection is made by the dog's owner and veterinarian on an individual basis, taking into consideration the physical examination and laboratory results.
Vaccinated dogs will test positive for exposure to Lyme but the C6 measures antibodies made in response to infection, not vaccination.

Lyme disease in dogs is readily treated with antibiotics. The infection is never really "cleared" because of the way the bacteria can lie dormant (see above) but the earlier in the course of the disease treatment is begun, the better the chance for complete cure. Your pet may seem better after only a few days of medication but it is important to continue giving the antibiotics for the full time period. Typically a month or so of antibiotics is prescribed and a C6 recheck should be scheduled for six months after treatment is completed.

When entering areas with your dog that may be infested with ticks please take precautions to avoid infection with Lyme disease or other tick-transmitted diseases. Consider use of flea and tick insecticides on your pet if they are at risk. We recommend K9 Advantix and Frontline or Preventic collars to kill or detach ticks before they can transmit the bacteria. Check yourself and your pets regularly for attached ticks and remove them with tweezers or "tick pullers" immediately. Don't crush ticks between your fingers because you could become infected. At WHVC we keep a tick jar (filled w/ ethyl alcohol) to dispose of ticks we remove in-hospital. At WHVC we recommend vaccination for dogs that encounter ticks.

Tick Tips From the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

 

Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel cough)

Kennel cough is usually caused by a group of infections, including Bordatella bronchiseptica bacteria and a virus such as adenovirus, parainfluenza virus or even distemper virus. It is characterized by sudden onset of a harsh, hacking or honking cough and is a lot like a chest cold in people, only becoming serious in unique situations.
When cilia lining the respiratory tract become damaged it is easier for bacteria to infect the airways. Dogs that become infected with Kennel cough are typically kept in a crowded situation with poor air circulation and lots of warm air. Bordatella bronchiseptica can actually bind to cilia and hinder the natural movement upward that is designed to protect the tract. Bordatella bronchiseptica can also secrete substances that interfere with immune cells that normally consume and destroy bacteria. This opens up the opportunity for infectious agents to invade the respiratory tract.
Diagnosis of Kennel cough is based on clinical signs and history of exposure. The incubation period is from two to fourteen days and the infection is fairly contagious among dogs and can be passed to rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, and cats that are young and kept in groups. Kennel cough is not transmissible to humans but is closely related to Whooping cough.
A vaccine is available in intanasal and injectable varieties. Intanasal vaccines can be given as early as two weeks old and immunity lasts about ten to twelve months, with boosters given annually. This version stimulates the local immunity, right where the natural infection would be trying to take over. It takes just under a week to generate a good immune response after intranasal vaccination, which is faster than the immunity generated by the injectable vaccine. The injectable is given as a booster and provides good systemic immunity as long as two doses are given after four months of age. At WHVC, the initial Bordatella vaccine is given intranasally and subsequent boosters are given in the injectable form. We recommend a booster every six months. Most boarding kennels require dogs to be up to date on this vaccine.
Treatment of Kennel cough consists of supportive care with or without cough suppressants and/or antibiotics. Treatment isn’t always necessary because the infection is generally self-limiting. Dogs that aren’t treated should begin to show some improvement after about a week. If the dog does not appear to have improved by then, they should have a re-check appointment and chest radiographs may be recommended.
The spread of Infectious tracheobronchitis can be prevented through proper kennel management and vaccination.