Health notes
Kennel cough season notes: what we see and what we do
This note is about the illness, not a tally, and carries no case counts. It covers what the cough looks like, what Dogtown requires, and when to call your vet rather than us.
What it is
Kennel cough is a group of infections, and any place where dogs gather can spread it
The AVMA describes canine infectious respiratory disease complex as a highly contagious illness of the airways that dogs of any breed and age can catch. Several organisms can be involved, often together: Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus type 2 are among the most common, with canine influenza, respiratory coronavirus and distemper also on the list.
The AVMA frames the risk by setting rather than by month. Dogs are often contagious before they show signs, some organisms survive in the environment for weeks, toys, bowls, bedding and hands can carry them, and long, close contact raises the odds. On the North Shore that points to the times dogs mix in numbers: holiday travel weeks, and the off-season beach months that start when Gloucester's beaches reopen to dogs on October 1.
The signs
A sudden honking cough is the classic sign, and labored breathing needs a vet right away
The cough is the giveaway: frequent and honking, it comes on suddenly and can sound like gagging or retching, sometimes with froth that looks like vomit. Exercise and excitement make it worse. Not every dog coughs, though; sneezing and a runny nose or eyes are common too, and in most dogs the illness is mild.
Some signs mean it has gone further. Lethargy, poor appetite, fever, a productive cough or fast, labored breathing can point to pneumonia, which the AVMA says needs immediate veterinary attention. Puppies and older dogs with other health problems are at greater risk. Call your vet before you go in, so the clinic can keep your dog away from other patients.
- Classic: a sudden, frequent, honking cough
- Also common: sneezing and a runny nose or eyes
- See a vet now: labored breathing, fever, lethargy, poor appetite
- After hours: Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital, Woburn, 24 hours
What we do
Dogtown requires Bordetella for every group dog, and a return after a cough starts with the front desk
Every dog in daycare, Dogtown Academy, an overnight stay or an at-home walk has Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella on file, checked at the free evaluation. DHPP is the standard protection against parainfluenza, adenovirus type 2 and distemper. The AVMA notes that current vaccines make illness, severe disease and onward spread less likely, though no vaccine covers every organism in the complex.
Canine influenza vaccine is not on Dogtown's published list; the AVMA recommends it where canine flu is known to be circulating, so ask your vet. When a dog has been coughing, ask the front desk before booking again: the current terms are confirmed at the desk rather than printed here.
- Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella on file for every group dog
- Checked at the free evaluation, weekdays 6:30 to 9:30 AM
- Canine influenza: a question for your vet
- Back after a cough: ask the front desk first
At home
If your dog starts coughing, rest it, call the vet and message us before the next day
Most mild cases need rest rather than medicine. The AVMA's recovery advice is rest, no excitement and no neck leashes, which press on an irritated windpipe, so a harness is the easy swap. Antibiotics are not usually needed unless pneumonia develops, which is your vet's call. Keep the dog's bowls, toys and bedding to itself until it recovers.
Then tell us. Cancel or move the booking in the Dogtown app or by calling 978 491-5922, and mention the cough. Cancellation terms for daycare, Academy days and overnight stays are confirmed when you book; grooming carries a $10 fee only when an appointment is cancelled without notice.
- 01
Keep your dog home and away from other dogs
- 02
Call your vet before going in and describe the cough
- 03
Rest, calm days and a harness instead of a collar
- 04
Message the Dogtown front desk before the next booking
At Dogtown
Where the vaccine rules apply
Daycare and overnight stays both start with Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella on file.
Asked and answered
Questions people ask about this
Short, complete answers you can act on today. More in the full FAQ.
Can my dog get kennel cough even with the Bordetella vaccine?
How long is a dog with kennel cough contagious?
Can people or cats catch kennel cough from my dog?
Should my daycare dog get the canine flu vaccine?
More questions? Read the full FAQ
Sources
- AVMA: canine infectious respiratory disease complex (kennel cough)
- AVMA on vaccinations
- City of Gloucester: Dog Regulations
- Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital
Rules and dates change. We re-check every beach, licensing and ordinance page each spring and fall; the source above is the current word.
Keep reading
Next step
Vaccines on file, then the evaluation.
Bring Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella records and a current city license to a free weekday-morning evaluation, 6:30 to 9:30 AM.
- 01Free evaluationWeekdays 6:30 – 9:30 AM
- 02Book a dayOnline, in the app or by phone
- 03Play, rest, repeatReport card at pick-up
