Dogs

Pets are like family. Sometimes, though, we can’t take them with us when we travel and, like children, we occasionally need to leave them with a babysitter. For pets, a kennel can be a convenient and safe place to have your pet looked after while you’re away from home.

However, pets kept in close proximity to other animals may be more susceptible to contracting kennel cough. If your pet is coughing after leaving the kennel, it’s possible that they have kennel cough. Although kennel cough sounds terrible, it’s typically not a serious condition. In fact, most pets recover from it without needing treatment.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is an infectious respiratory disease most commonly associated with dogs, although other animals, including cats, can catch the disease as well. There’s no one cause of kennel cough. The term kennel cough can refer to any infectious respiratory disease caused by a bacteria or virus that gets into your pet’s lungs.

What Is Bordetella?

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that is the most common of the possible causes of kennel cough. In fact, many people call kennel cough Bordetella for this reason. Often, if a dog becomes infected with Bordetella, the dog is also infected with another virus or bacteria, such as:

• Canine distemper
• Parainfluenza
• Canine herpes
• Canine reovirus

If a dog has contracted one of the above viruses, they are more susceptible to also contracting Bordetella.

Why Is it Called Kennel Cough?

One of the reasons kennel cough got its name is because it’s commonly spread in kennels and shelters. Dogs, cats, and other pets may come into contact with a lot of other animals during their stay in a kennel. If another animal there has kennel cough, there’s a greater chance that your pet could contract the virus too.

What Are the Symptoms of Kennel Cough?

The symptoms of kennel cough can include:

• A persistent and forceful cough
• Sneezing
• Eye discharge
• Runny nose

Some dogs have a cough-like sound they make that’s called a reverse sneeze. This noise is normal and not a symptom of kennel cough. The cough from kennel cough is more reminiscent of a goose honk.

Other than the honking cough, some pets may not otherwise act like they are sick. Not all of the other symptoms may be present, but some pets do experience them. More than likely, your pet won’t have a loss of appetite or a decrease in energy.

What Causes Kennel Cough?

Dogs and other animals can catch kennel cough by inhaling bacteria or other virus particles. The bacteria, such as Bordetella, get into their lungs, causing the cough. Normally, in dogs, the respiratory tract is protected from viruses and bacteria by a coating of mucus. The mucus coating traps infectious particles so they don’t get sick. However, there are some factors that can weaken the protection of this mucus coating.

What Factors Increase the Risk of Getting Kennel Cough?

There are a few things that can increase an animal’s risk of developing kennel cough. One of them is being in a kennel. This is because the bacteria that cause kennel cough are contagious and spread through close contact with other animals. Some kennels and shelters aren’t as well ventilated as they could be, which can also contribute.

Additional factors that contribute to an increased risk of developing kennel cough include:

• Cold temperatures
• Exposure to dust
• Exposure to smoke
• Stress from travel

This means that your pet may still be susceptible to kennel cough if you travel with your pet instead of boarding them.

How Is Kennel Cough Treated?

In many cases, kennel cough goes away on its own after a while. Many pets recover from kennel cough with no treatment at all. However, because kennel cough is contagious, you’ll want to keep your pet away from other animals while it has kennel cough.

You can have your pet vaccinated against kennel cough prior to boarding them to eliminate the chances of them contracting the illness. The Bordetella vaccine is often required for pets to be boarded or participate in doggy daycares.

Should You Take Your Pet to the Vet for Kennel Cough?

Typically, most pets recover from kennel cough with a few weeks of rest and don’t need treatment. However, some may experience more severe symptoms. If this is the case for your pet, then you should take them to the vet. The vet may prescribe cough medication to help ease the symptoms of kennel cough and antibiotics to prevent additional infections.

You never know when there might be an accident or emergency could arise that might affect your pet. For this reason, it’s an excellent idea to have a pet-specific first-aid kit on-hand. That way, you can quickly respond to anything that comes up. If you already have a pet first-aid kit, then you should double-check it to make sure that you have everything you need and that nothing inside it has expired.

The following are must-have items that you should put in your pet first-aid kit, which should be an easily transportable container.

Paperwork

Paperwork, including medical records, microchip information, and vaccination history, is a must for any pet first-aid kit. This is because any new vet you take your pet to will need to see their paperwork in order to provide the best possible care for your pet. Having hard copies is important if you are traveling with your pet or in the event that an emergency occurs and you don’t have power or access to your phone.

Emergency Contact Numbers

It’s also a good idea to include emergency contact numbers in case you’re in a situation in which you’re without your phone. These emergency contacts might include the phone number for your pet’s veterinarian and a local 24-hour emergency clinic. You should also have the animal poison control number on-hand.

Collapsible Bowls

Collapsible bowls can come in handy for both emergency and non-emergency situations. You never know when you’re going to need to give your pet food or water. This is especially true if you’re traveling or if you’re visiting family or friends. A collapsible water bowl can also be used to mix disinfectants like chlorhexidine in the event you need to care for a wound.

Look for a bowl that is 100% BPA-free, FDA approved, and dishwasher safe. The following are good options:

• SLSON Collapsible Dog Bowl
• SLSON Collapsible Dog Bowls with Cover Lids
• Rest-Eazzzy Expandable Dog Bowls

Food, Treats, and Water

You should also keep some food and water in the first-aid kit, as well as some treats for your pet. That way, you’ve got some on hand, just in case. Keeping your pet well-fed and well-watered is part of keeping your pet healthy.

As with all the perishable items in your pet’s first aid kit, you should check periodically to replace any items that have passed their expiration date.

Medications

If your pet has any medications, either prescribed or over-the-counter, it’s a good idea to have extra on-hand in your first-aid kit. You never know when you might not have access to your normal supply.

Wound Care Supplies

If your pet gets injured, you’ll want to be able to clean and dress the wound as well as you can before taking your pet to the vet. This means you’ll need gauze, scissors, and tape. The gauze can be used for bandaging a wound and stopping bleeding, but it can also be multi-purpose. It can help to splint a limb or even work as a makeshift muzzle in a pinch. The scissors are for cutting the gauze to the length that you need and the tape for keeping it in place.

Antibiotic ointment is good to have on hand to treat cuts and scratches. You’ll want to make sure that your pet doesn’t get an infection. It’s also a good idea to have hydrogen peroxide. It can be used to clean out wounds to prevent infection and may also help to induce vomiting if your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t. Don’t try to induce vomiting without talking to a vet or to poison control.

Other supplies you may want to include in your pet’s first aid kit include:

• Tweezers
• Syringes
• Sterile saline eyewash and eye lubrication
• Ear cleaning solution
• Penlight or flashlight

Wet Wipes

You never know when you’ll have a pet mess to clean up. Wet wipes or another type of grooming wipe can be helpful in cleaning up any bathroom messes that your pet may make as well as cleaning up your pet.

Disposable Gloves

If your pet is injured and has an open wound you’ll want to have disposable gloves on hand. Using disposable gloves while providing minor first aid to your pet can help to keep the area clean and reduce the risk of infection.

Comfort Items

In an emergency, your pet may not be the calmest. Having a blanket or a towel that you can wrap them in may help you to calm your pet down. Additionally, having a toy or other comfort item that your pet will love can also help to keep your pet happy and calm.

Extra Collar & Leash

It’s a good idea to have an extra collar with identification and contact information available. If you have a dog, an extra leash and some spare poop bags can also be very useful.

Muzzle

Even if your pet doesn’t typically need a muzzle, a muzzle may be necessary during wound treatment. This is because pets may lash out when they’re in pain, even towards their owners. The best type of muzzle is one that prevents the pet from biting you but also allows the pet to easily breathe. A muzzle with a basket weave is the best type because it allows for the free flow of air while also stopping your pet from biting you or anything else.

How Large Should a Pet First Aid Kit Be?

A pet first aid kit should be easily portable in case of an emergency. While you can keep a smaller first aid kit for your pet that can easily fit into your purse or backpack, your dog’s age and lifestyle may require a larger back to store necessary supplies. An emergency first aid kit that accounts for natural disasters and other emergencies customized to your location may include larger items like a week’s worth of pet food and a collapsible litter box if you have a cat.

Your pet first aid kit, however, doesn’t need to be that extensive if you are using it for minor medical treatment.

Can I Purchase a Premade Pet First Aid Kit?

Buying a pre-made pet first-aid kit can be a quick and easy way to gather many of the basic supplies you’ll need. However, it’s a good idea to personalize the first-aid kit by adding items that your pet, in particular, may need, such as paperwork, medications, treats, comfort items, and more.

The following are some recommended pre-made pet first-aid kits. Be sure to shop through smile.amazon.com so that you can support your preferred charity, including many excellent pet-related charities.

• Arca Dog and Cat First Aid Kit
• Adventure Medical Kits Dog Series
• Pet First Aid Kit with LED Safety Collar
• Kurgo First Aid Kit for Dogs and Cats

Your pet’s first aid kit should not act as the main form of treatment in the event your pet is injured or becomes sick. While a first aid kit can help you treat your pet while organizing medical care, you should always contact your veterinarian in the event of an emergency.

Our pets are members of our families. Pet owners want to do everything they can for their furry four-legged family members. But sometimes, veterinary bills can be costly, making it difficult for pet owners to afford their pet’s healthcare, especially in an emergency situation. Pet insurance can help to alleviate some of the financial burden of an emergency vet visit, which pet owners may not be prepared for.

What Is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is like health insurance, but for your pet. Typically, pet owners with pet insurance will pay a monthly premium that adds up to a few hundred dollars each year. If a pet is injured or ill and requires veterinary treatment, the pet owner usually has to pay out of pocket, but can then file for reimbursement from the insurance company. How much is covered and what illnesses and injuries are covered may depend on the pet insurance policy.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

While pet insurance is similar in many ways to health insurance, it does typically differ in how the insurance payouts work. While hospitals and clinics usually bill insurance for payment, with pet insurance, the pet owner generally has to pay up front. The pet insurance company will then reimburse the pet owner for what they paid, so long as the deductible has been met and the treatment is covered under the pet insurance policy.

Why Should You Get Pet Insurance?

If a pet becomes ill or is injured and the vet costs are high to treat the illness or injury, some pet parents don’t have the money to cover the bills. Some pet owners may have to decide between taking on debt to treat their pet or having their beloved pet put down. Pet insurance can help to cover the costs of an emergency vet bill, preventing pet owners from having to make such a devastating decision.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Pet insurance policies can differ depending on the insurance company offering them and also depending on the policy. Most pet insurance policies cover the following:

• Illnesses
• Accidents
• Behavioral problems
• Chronic conditions
• Alternative therapy
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Implanting a microchip
• Prescription medications
• Prescription supplements
• Prescription food

Hereditary conditions and chronic conditions are sometimes covered but sometimes aren’t. Whether they’re covered depends on the pet insurance company.

What Doesn’t Pet Insurance Cover?

Pet insurance policies usually cover accidents and emergencies only. Generally, pet insurance does not cover vet visits and pet care that falls under the wellness category.

Common pet insurance exclusions often include:

• Grooming
• Preexisting health conditions
• Hereditary health conditions
• Behavioral issues
• Regular vet checkups
• Hip dysplasia
• Preventative health care
• Dental care
• Breeding and pregnancy
• Vaccinations
• Cosmetic procedures
• Heartworm medication
• Flea medication
• Tick medication

Before selecting a pet insurance plan, you should shop around to see what each insurance company covers. Some may cover preexisting or hereditary health conditions, particularly if they are curable, while others may not. Depending on the pet insurance company, you may be able to add on extra insurance to cover some normal exclusions.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

How much pet insurance costs depends on the insurance company. Typically pet insurance is a monthly cost that adds up to around a few hundred dollars per year. This works out to around $40 per month. The monthly cost will vary depending on your policy. Pet insurance also typically carries a deductible, which, depending on the plan, can range from no deductible to a deductible of up to $1000.

Can You Add on Extra Coverage?

Depending on the pet insurance company, you may be able to add on extra coverage for medical treatments not normally included on the average policy.

What Can Impact Pet Insurance Premiums

The premiums pet owners pay for pet insurance depend on several different factors. These can include:

• Pet’s species
• Pet’s gender
• Pet’s breed
• Pet’s age
• Location

The type of pet you have can impact how much the pet insurance premiums cost. For example, dogs, male animals, older animals, and larger animals are usually more expensive to insure than cats, smaller animals, younger animals, and female animals.

How Do You Choose a Pet Insurance Policy?

The most important thing to do is research. Pet insurance isn’t like health insurance offered by an employer that may have limited options. You’ll have your choice of different insurance companies and policies. However, you’ll need to make sure that your vet will accept your pet insurance and find a policy that both works for your budget and will cover everything you need for your pet.