264 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830
203-661-1437
Please complete our Procedure Consent Form.
Kennel Cough Disclaimer*
Kennel Cough is an umbrella term for a variety of viruses and bacteria that can cause infectious cough/nasal discharge and congestion in dogs. Bordetella Vaccine is required for all of our boarding patients, but unfortunately, there are other viruses and bacteria that can cause Kennel Cough that there is not a vaccine for.
Similar to sending children to school or daycare, as pets congregate there is the possibility that an asymptomatic dog could spread disease prior to showing any clinical signs. Our policy is that any pet that has a cough, nasal discharge, or congestion that could be due to an infectious cause is not able to board at our facility. What we cannot control is the asymptomatic pet that may spread disease prior to showing clinical signs. We do everything possible to eliminate any infections arising from our kennel by avoiding dog-dog contact, thoroughly washing runs, washing bedding daily, and having employees wash hands between pets. Our ventilation system provides excellent airflow to help decrease respiratory pathogens.
If you have a boarding reservation with our kennel, and your pet has developed a cough or nasal discharge please call our office as we will need to have one of our veterinarians examine your pet prior to admittance to boarding. We will not be able to accept patients for boarding that are suspected of having kennel cough. In the event that any of our boarders develop a cough or nasal discharge while boarding, we will contact their owner to advise them of the situation and the patient will be moved into our isolation ward until they are able to be picked up by their owner.
If your pet develops any signs of kennel cough (lethargy, cough, nasal discharge, or congestion) following boarding, please call our office. One of our veterinarians will determine how to proceed with their care. Please know that the majority of these cases are very mild in vaccinated patients. If your pet is due for a Bordetella vaccine, the sooner it is administered the better prior to boarding for protection from Bordetella.
Bordetella is very rarely a problem for cats or people but has the potential to affect immune-compromised individuals. If your pet is diagnosed with kennel cough, please discuss any concerns about immune-compromised individuals in the house with your veterinarian.