09/08/2021
⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️
A message for all of my customers in relation to the huge rise of KENNEL COUGH!
So it seems that at the moment the whole of Gloucestershire is experiencing a huge rise in kennel cough cases.
A Walk In The Park has so far has two confirmed cases, those dogs are now being isolated and will not be returning to walks until they are fully clear, as kennel cough although manageable, is super contagious.
The only issue is that, like COVID - dogs that may have already contracted kennel cough may not show the symptoms for a week - by which time they may already have passed it around (hence why there is such an increase in our area at the moment)
So if you see any of these symptoms with your dog - please let me know straight away -
🔴 Sneezing,
🔴 a strong cough (often with a kind of ‘honking’ sound)
🔴 lethargy
🔴 off their food
If these symptoms show, you must keep them isolated immediately - like I said, this is just like COVID so it should be treated like such. So you should make sure to:
🔴 keep them isolated from all other animals
🔴 do not take them to built up areas such as parks with lots of other dogs around
🔴 Walk on a harness if you can as a collar can aggravate more, and try to not allow them to run around too much
IF YOUR DOG IS SHOWING ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS AT ALL - THEY MUST NOT JOIN IN ON WALKS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT (I know that sounds crazy but like I said, this is a supremely contagious illness and I can only do my best to control it with your help)
Although your dog may be vaccinated against kennel cough, that still does not mean that they cannot carry the strain to other dogs. The vaccine does not prevent kennel cough, it just doesn’t allow for the symptoms to be as bad as they would be without it. With this in mind, if you do suspect your dog has got kennel cough, it might still be worth getting them checked out at the vets as some cases may need antibiotics to help with the symptoms.
So if you could please follow the procedures below for if your dog is showing any signs of kennel cough
⚫️ your dog has shown clear signs of kennel cough, so you send me a message to let me know and walks are cancelled for now
⚫️ you think your dog has had their last cough and is seeming to get better - send me a text when this happens. We now have to wait between 𝟭𝟬 -𝟭𝟰 days clear of that last cough until they are allowed to be back with the gang
So please do be vigilant, like I said it is an easy enough illness to manage once they have it, but it is so contagious which is why I have posted this to make everyone aware of the situation and how we can manage it between us!
Thank you so much for your cooperation -
Krysia - A Walk In The Park