Local Vets Report Increased Kennel Cough Cases

Veterinarian clinics in Temple and Belton are reporting up to double the number of cases of Bordetella, or kennel cough.

According to Temple Veterinary Hospital veterinarian Gary Gosney, kennel cough is a respiratory disease in dogs. One or two cases a week is typical, but he has begun seeing up to four in a single day. He believes this may be an indication of a mutated strain.

Kennel cough is extremely contagious, able to be transmitted to other dogs through the air and potentially causing severe problems and secondary complications.

Symptoms of kennel cough include a dry, hacking cough in which they begin to gag. Owners should seek treatment and get antibiotics, then make sure the dog is isolated to prevent the spread of the disease.

Pharmaceutical companies are looking at developing vaccines which could fight mutated strains.