Kennel cough is one of the most prevalent illnesses transmitted from pet to pet at boarding kennels, groomers and at pet shows and other events where lots of animals gather in one area. Unfortunately, when one cat or dog develops kennel cough, it usually quickly spreads to other animals creating a need for multiple veterinarian visits to ensure every pet gets proper treatment for kennel cough before it develops into something more serious. Kennel cough is difficult to keep under control because it is caused by more than one culprit. Although 80% of cases of this respiratory illness are caused by the Bordatella bacterium, it can also develop from exposure to the Parainfluenza virus or Adenovirus, all of which are airborne germs. Unfortunately, this means that your dog or cat can be exposed simply by breathing the same air as another animal with kennel cough. Even more disturbing is the fact that pets can be exposed without anyone realizing it - kennel cough is contagious for weeks and even months after the symptoms are gone, making it impossible to tell if the animals in a kennel or other facility are carrying the illness.

Treatment for kennel cough is usually straightforward - veterinarians most often prescribe cough suppressants to limit the irritation caused by the characteristic dry, hacking cough. wii lens cleaning kit for saleThey'll also often prescribe an antibiotic if tests indicate the illness is bacterial in origin. wii lens cleaning kit does it workBut in some cases, especially in older pets, those with a compromised immune system and puppies, kennel cough can evolve into something much more dangerous such as pneumonia. trying to order wii lens cleaning kitIn cases of secondary infection, a pet can develop fluid in the lungs and other complications that can be serious or fatal. This is why it's so much better to prevent kennel cough than to treat it after the fact.

Individual pet owners can get their pets vaccinated against Bordatella if they will be around other animals in close quarters such as a boarding kennel or at pet shows. In most cases, a veterinarian will suggest immunization once a year or, in some cases, every six months. But this vaccine doesn't protect against every cause of kennel cough. The only way to completely prevent kennel cough is to keep your pet away from all other animals, which is hardly realistic. If you are a pet groomer or run a pet boarding kennel, you can offer your customers the next best thing in protection by ensuring that airborne germs such as the ones that cause kennel cough are filtered out of the air. Fortunately, the PetAirapy disinfectant and purification systems removes or kills the airborne pathogens that cause kennel cough, including the Bordatella, Parainfluenza and Adenovirus. Recirculated air that is breathed by multiple cats and dogs will naturally spread any germs that are inhaled and exhaled, but a proper air cleaning system can remove or destroy germs so that they aren't passed from one pet to another.

The PetAirapy system does this two ways - it uses a special micro allergen filter to clean the air and remove impurities that can irritate the air passages, and its unique UV light system actually kills the germs that cause disease. Kennels using the PetAirapy system can assure their customers that treatment for kennel cough won't be an added expense or concern because their pets' respiratory health is fully protected by the PetAirapy system. If you own a kennel, grooming facility or other pet care facility, PetAirapy can provide a customized system based on the number of animals you have and the size of your space and the type of furnace and/or air conditioning system you use. This way you can effectively protect every animal in your care against kennel cough and give your customers true peace of mind.Feline asthma is a respiratory condition that involves inflammation and excess mucous build-up in the airways. Muscles spasms cause constriction of the airway, resulting in respiratory distress.

Feline asthma shares some characteristics with asthma in humans, including symptoms.Signs of feline asthma may be as mild as an occasional soft cough and/or a wheeze. At times it may seem as though your cat is trying unsuccessfully to bring up a hairball. In extreme and chronic cases, one might notice a persistent cough along with labored, open-mouth, harsh breathing. At this point, an asthma ‘attack’ could culminate in a life-threatening crisis.Conventional medical treatmentConventional medical treatment of feline asthma is based upon two main drug types: corticosteroids and bronchodilators.Oral prednisone or prednisolone, and/or inhaled forms of corticosteroids are used to reduce the inflammation in the airways. Side effects of corticosteroids can include increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, weight gain, diabetes, lowered resistance to infection, and even behavioral changes.Bronchodilators help open up the airways. Both oral and inhaled forms of bronchodilators are used.

Side effects are generally minimal with bronchodilators, but these drugs should never be used alone, as that can actually worsen the condition. Several other drugs, such as antihistamines and anti-leukotrienes, are also used by some veterinarians.Holistic therapiesHolistic therapies can help ease the symptoms of asthma. Success of these therapies will depend on the severity of the condition. Always consult with your cat’s veterinarian before starting any therapy. Not all veterinarians will be familiar with holistic approaches to treating asthma. You can you locate a holistic vet in your area through the American Holistic Veterinary Association.If you suspect that your cat has asthma, always obtain a proper diagnosis from your veterinarian.Has your cat been coughing or wheezing? This is an excellent video of what an asthma attack looks like:Q. Our family has had several bouts of respiratory infections this fall. Our 5-year-old daughter is still coughing through the night and keeping everyone awake.

We tried over-the-counter cough remedies but they didn’t make much difference. My wife worries they might not be safe. Do you have some home remedies you can send us? A. You have reason to be cautious. The FDA has recommended against OTC cold remedies for infants and toddlers and is still assessing their safety and effectiveness for older children. We are sending you our Guide to Colds, Coughs & the Flu with details about cough remedies such as thyme tea, ginger tea, honey, elderberry and grape juice. Even chocolate chips may have cough calming power. Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet may also ease a child’s nighttime cough. It may sound strange to put Vicks on the feet rather than the chest (add socks to protect the sheets), but hundreds of people have told us this works. Here’s one story from Steve: “We tried this remedy last night after my wife’s mom read about it in the Dallas Morning News. We decided it couldn’t hurt to try, since Mucinex, Symbicort and various other methods had failed to control my cold-induced post nasal drip-cough.