There’s been a recent increase in reported cases of kennel cough in the local community, so we’d like to do our part by sharing more information about what it is, how you can protect your best furriend, and how our team helps prevent it! Let’s get started with some basic information:

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is a respiratory illness in dogs that spreads similarly to the common cold in humans — through airborne droplets, direct contact, or contaminated surfaces. It’s highly contagious, and while its symptoms are usually mild, it can sometimes lead to a more serious illnesses like pneumonia, especially in puppies and senior dogs. That’s why knowing the signs and symptoms are important! The more quickly you can intervene, the sooner your dog can recover and start feeling better.

Kennel Cough Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom is a dry cough, that can sound like a “honking” noise. However, other common symptoms include: runny nose or eyes, sneezing, lethargy, mild fever, vomiting, hoarseness, a decrease in energy or appetite, and sore throat. More rarely, you might notice difficulty breathing– in which case, contact a vet immediately.

If your dog starts showing any of these symptoms, keep them safely at home and get in touch with your veterinarian. Don’t forget to tell other pet parents your dog may have exposed to kennel cough know, if you get a positive diagnosis!

How to Protect Your Pup

You can help reduce your dog’s chances of catching kennel cough with some simple preventative health measures. We recommend starting by ensuring your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially Bordetella, canine influenza, and parainfluenza. These vaccines don’t guarantee immunity, but they can help reduce the risk and severity.

What can also help is maintaining good hygiene with your pup, keeping them and their belongings clean. We especially recommend disinfecting any items that are shared with other dogs they don’t live with, including: bowls, toys, leashes, bedding, and more.

If there’s a known outbreak of kennel cough, then we recommend avoiding crowded dog environments, especially if your dog is a puppy, a senior, or immunocompromised somehow.

What Steps We Take for Kennel Cough Prevention

At Dogs of Tucson, we’re committed to providing a safe and healthy space for every pup. Cleaning and good dog hygiene our two of our top priorities, so we’re always taking measures to prevent any sort of spread infections.

With the recent local outbreak of kennel cough, our team is currently:

🐾 Disinfecting all surfaces, bowls, and gear between uses

🐾 Monitoring dogs closely for any signs or symptoms of illness

🐾 Maintaining strong ventilation and airflow throughout the facility

🐾 Isolating dogs and notifying pet parents if any concerning symptoms arise

🐾 Asking infected dogs to stay at home until cleared by a vet to return, healthy

 

How You Can Help Keep Our Facility Safe

Pet parents, to help keep our pack healthy, we ask that you:

🐾 Monitor your pup for any symptoms.

🐾 Keep your dog home if they are coughing or unwell.

🐾 Inform us if your dog has had recent exposure to a known case.

 

We truly appreciate your continued support and understanding. Thank you for helping us stay proactive and transparent as we work together to keep tails wagging — safely! If you have any questions or concerns about how Dogs of Tucson handles cleaning, infections, or more, then please feel free to get in touch.