We are thrilled to announce that we are hosting Rabies Awareness Month right here at Sykesville Veterinary Clinic. This is an incredibly important cause to us, and one that needs as much awareness as possible.
vaccines for pets
Canine Kennel Cough: How to Diagnose and Treat It
Canine kennel cough is perhaps one of the most widely recognized terms for pet owners. It is loosely used to describe a range of infections, both viral and bacterial. These infections cause inflammation of a dog’s voice box and windpipe and are essentially a form of bronchitis that is comparable to a common chest cold in humans.
In most cases, kennel cough clears up on its own. However, it is highly contagious to other dogs and it is therefore important that it is treated as soon as possible. There are numerous ways dogs can catch kennel cough, including aerosols in the air, transfers from dog to dog and germs on contaminated objects.
Kennel cough is most commonly spread in small, enclosed areas that do not have great air circulation, such as an animal shelter or boarding center. Your dog can also catch it from simply sitting in a vaccination clinic, training class or grooming facility.
In order to better understand this disease and how you can protect your dog, it may be helpful to take a look at some of the most common symptoms as well as treatment options. If you have any questions about the listed information, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
How to Properly Protect Your Pet from Rabies
Rabies is a dangerous virus that can cause serious illness in all mammals, including dogs, cats and even humans. A viral disease that affects the central nervous system, in particular the brain and spinal cord, there is unfortunately no cure for rabies. Because of its level of seriousness, it is extremely important to take steps to protect your pet and make sure they are properly vaccinated.
Rabies is spread by contact with the saliva of any infected animal, which makes it a highly zoonotic disease – transferrable to both humans and animals when they intersect. In most cases, transmission of rabies to a pet is through a bite wound, but it has been known to spread from a simple scratch or existing open wound. Rabies is not only harmful to you and your pet – it is a public health risk, with dangers to everyone that cannot be stressed enough.