Keep Your Pet Safe this Thanksgiving and More

Do NOT feed these Thanksgiving Foods to Pets!

Kennel Cough/New K9 Respiratory Virus on the Rise!

Kennel cough is on the rise in the United States. While rarely severe, kennel cough is highly contagious so it’s important to control it quickly to stop it from spreading among groups of dogs at kennels, doggy daycares, dog parks and other places dogs congregate. 

Also, another highly contagious upper respiratory infection in K9s has recently been found in Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire and is still spreading. While the symptoms can mimic the K9 influenza or kennel cough, this new infection is potentially fatal and shares similarities to pneumonia. 

If your dog begins to show any of the symptoms below, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

  • Coughing and sneezing.

  • Labored breathing.

  • Nose or eye discharge.

  • Lethargy.

  • Decreased or non-existent appetite.

The Pet Whisperer suggests a simple, natural remedy to help a dog with kennel cough or other respiratory infections, namely, humidifiers. They can help control coughs or respiratory infections in the comfort of your own home.

Add drops of lemongrass oil or citronella to a humidifier in an enclosed area where your dog can breathe in the steam. Place the humidifier on a secure surface so it cannot be knocked over.

Another common remedy for kennel cough is Plantain Leaf Bone Broth; the recipe is below.

 

Recipe for Plantain Leaf Bone Broth (Image Courtesy: ColdNosesNews.com)

Plantain Leaf Bone Broth

Use homemade bone broth and add the following ingredients to help address K9 kennel cough or other respiratory infections.

  • Plantain leaves (one tablespoon of dried plantain leaves per 40 pounds of animal weight).

  • One teaspoon of honey.

  • One fresh rosemary stalk (preferred) or one cup of dried rosemary leaf.

  • A few apples sliced up; keep the skins but remove all seeds.

Boil for 1-2 minutes. Turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes before removing.

For dogs under 40 pounds, add half a cup of broth to their regular food or offer as a drink in a separate bowl twice a day.

For dogs over 40 pounds, add 1 cup of broth 2-3 times to their regular food or offer as a drink in a separate bowl 2-3 times a day.

This broth needs to be consumed on a 1:1 ratio with their daily water until symptoms have been lessened or resolved.

Again, If your dog has symptoms of respiratory distress, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

 

Help Change a Life by Raising a Puppy! (Courtesy: MobilityDog.org)

Thanksgiving Foods, Kennel CoughMobility Service Dogs - West Coast ProjectK9 Respiratory Infection, Puppy Raisers, K9 Respiratory Virus