Conehead.jpgBordetella. AKA kennel cough. Unfortunately this season, bordetella is running rampant on the Upper West Side. At one local animal hospital, this outbreak of bordetella is bringing in at least one new case a day. Patrons of Camp Canine informed us that the facility will be closing for a thorough cleaning.
The blame does not lie with daycare/boarding facilities, grooming salons, or veterinarians, however.
The spread of this problem can be attributed to living in a city where all the dogs are in close contact and where some dog owners (knowingly and not-so-much) are taking their coughing dogs to daycare or overnight boarding.
Do not take your coughing dog to the kennel, groomer, local dog store, or dog run. Just don’t do it.
Many healthy dogs will thank you. As will their owners who are less out-of-pocket!

For the record, this fall at one UWS veterinary hospital, we have seen deadly leptospirosis in Manhattan (one dog), numerous ticks on dogs from Central Park, Giardia (late summer/early fall), and most recently pneumonia.

Stay safe. Make sure you talk everything through with your veterinarian and keep up with vaccinations and health checkups, Pooches!

(Image of the girl looking sad when she had to wear the E-Collar.)

UPDATE 11-30-06: CAMP CANINE IS OPEN AND ALL CLEANED UP. ALL OF THE KENNEL COUGH CASES WE HAVE SEEN AT THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL ARE ON THE MEND AND DOING FINE.