Important
Information Regarding Canine Cough
We
would like to make all clients especially aware that Canine
Cough is present always in the Charlottesville - Albemarle
area and does not originate here at the kennel.We often receive
reports from Charlottesville area veterinarians when they observe
this highly contagious illness. While we DO NOT have any boarders
in our facility who are coughing, it is IMPOSSIBLE for us to tell
when there might be a boarder here who has been exposed to canine
cough PRIOR to their arrival.
We
highly recommend that you make especially sure that your pet has
been properly vaccinated. If you have any questions regarding
Canine Cough and your pet please feel free to speak with one of
our attendants and they will have a manager contact you at your
request.
THE
SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT VACCINATION FOR DOGS WHEN BOARDING IS THE
CANINE COUGH (BORDETELLA) VACCINATION! WE EMPHATICALLY REQUIRE
BORDETELLA DROPS OR VACCINATION PRIOR TO ENTRY FOR ALL DOGS. THIS
VACCINATION IS REQUIRED ON AN ANNUAL (1 YEAR) OR SEMI-ANNUAL (TWICE
YEARLY) BASIS DEPENDING ON YOUR VETERINARIAN'S VACCINATION TYPE.
PLEASE CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN'S RECEPTIONIST FOR SHOT EXPIRATION
DATES.
While we make every effort to prevent the occurrence of Canine
Cough in the kennel, we are unable to give 100% assurance that
someone's pet will not bring it to the kennel while your pet is
boarding.
Canine
Cough is a generic term for upper respiratory infections that
occur from Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza virus.
In infected dogs, the bacteria and viruses multiply and destroy
the delicate cilia of the dog's trachea, thus irritating its upper
respiratory tract and producing the characteristic persistent
cough. Coughing, sneezing, and retching, often accompanied by
nasal discharge, usually last from a few days to several weeks.
Some dogs also may have a fever, depression, and loss of appetite.
Two common consequences of canine cough are persistent coughing,
which can keep your dog (and you) awake at night, and a weakened
ability to fight other respiratory infections.
Since
the Bordetella bronchiseptica virus in not "born" in the kennel,
it can (and almost always often is) be "caught" outside the kennel
and brought in by a boarding pet. The virus is "sub-clinical"
(it does not show visible signs of infection) often for 7-10 days.
If you feel that your pet might have been exposed in your neighborhood,
at the vet's office, or otherwise please advise us on entry.
We
are making intense efforts to prohibit (requiring vaccinations,
extensive cleaning & disinfection, and public awareness) its outbreak
in our facility. If however, your pet does contract canine cough
the kennel will not be held liable for its treatment, cost thereof,
or consequences.
Your
pet's exposure here is minimal, but entirely possible and we feel
that boarding is very similar to sending your child to school.
While the school does everything to prevent outbreaks of colds
and flu to your children, if they do get sick you do not expect
the school system to pay for treatment of their illness. Similarly,
here we are making every effort to advise you of the situation
and if your pet does contract Canine Cough we do not think we
should be expected to cove the costs of treatment.
We
also are making every effort to prevent its outbreak here at Wakefield
Kennel. However, YOU BOARD YOUR PET AT YOUR
OWN RISK.
Thank
you for your understanding. If anything here is not agreeable
to you please advise our attendant before entry.
Sincerely,
The Management of Wakefield Kennel, Inc.