Kennel Cough Warning

[wild whippies]

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Been on the phone to my mate who sells greyhound supplies and he's warned me that some of they greys have been coming down with kennel cough. He didn't name specific tracks but did say it was getting pretty rife.

As a precaution I thought it wise to warn everyone and would encourage people to carry on using the same precautions as before, i.e. foot washing, disinfecting muzzles etc.

Just to add, got a pile of Virkon in my van if anyone has trouble getting any before the champs. :thumbsup:

 

[Paws123]

ive heard theres a few whippets down with it too ...

 

[wild whippies]

ive heard theres a few whippets down with it too ...

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If that's the case makes sense for everyone to be extra careful. Such a shame if any of those dogs are out for the champs. I'm in limbo myself with my own dog as he's being examined tomorrow to see if his injury has repaired and obviously I'll be gutted if I can't run him.

 

[Paws123]

Yeah its a right bummer when you dog picks something up...always seems to happen just before big events too

If people keep using the Virkon for feet wash it will immunize the possibility of there dogs picking viruses up

 

[June Jonigk]

Yeah its a right bummer when you dog picks something up...always seems to happen just before big events too
If people keep using the Virkon for feet wash it will immunize the possibility of there dogs picking viruses up

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It doesn't hurt to use the Virkon anyway - but Kennel Cough is an airborne virus, so lets hope everyone keeps their infected dogs at home :thumbsup:

 

[wild whippies]

I'm a bit in the know with viruses etc as I do cross infection control for our unit so I hope you don't mind me commenting on this.

Basically disinfectants that kill viruses, bacteria etc usually need to be on the contaminated substance for a reasonable period of time. (This is dependant on the the species and usually the way a bug is spread gives you a good insight into it's vulnerability) For example, kennel cough is spread through aerosol particles and airborne viruses are usually weak within the atmosphere after a given period of time. Basically the virus is coated with a protein that protects it from dying, this protein in airborne diseases is usually weak.

There is also another matter with infective diseases, this being the amount of substance present. In order to cause an effective reaction, a reasonable amount needs to be present on the host inorder to cause a reaction. the first strain of parvo virus generated a natural immunity in dogs because it was so virulant that all dogs were contaminated with small amounts and thus built up a natural immunity to it. Please note there are other strains of parvo virus that have been able to change and replicate their protein layers and this is why vaccination is an absolute must.

I know I'm probably going way over peoples heads with all this but it's because I want to explain why I recommend the following as routine methods of preventing your dog from getting disease.

1. Foot washing, just like hand washing, greatly reduces the amount of what we call 'bacterial load,' this being the amount of bacteria that can be present on your dog. It can reduce contamination of surgical instruments by as much as 80% and is the first stage of sterilising instruments within the NHS.

2. The use of disinfectants, anti-bacterial soaps etc will also lower the bacterial load but in fairness it's effectiveness depends upon the surfaces it's used on and it's ability to penetrate. The use of disinfectants does not sterilise. However it's better to wash your dogs feet in your own solution rather than using communal bowls as they can become a 'soup of bacteria', the same goes for water bowls.

Muzzles having lots of nucks and crannys are better to be soaked IMO and boards sprayed with disinfectant and left to air dry.

3. With regards to traps, a trap that is heavily contaminated with saliva is unlikely to be effectively cleaned with disinfectant spray as the solution needs to be working on the protein layers for a period of time usually 10 mins minimum on a smooth surface but even longer where there is visible contamination, e.g. pools of saliva. For this reason it is better to reduce the bacterial load by wiping the trap over with disposable paper towel rather than spraying and waiting. Obviously if both could be done it's even better but this isn't always feasible.

I hope this is useful to anyone who is concerned, I don't expect anyone to start doing protocols at racing events as really this is our own personal responsibility and it requires a great deal of routine commitment from the owner.

 

[midlanderkeith]

I'm a bit in the know with viruses etc as I do cross infection control for our unit so I hope you don't mind me commenting on this. Basically disinfectants that kill viruses, bacteria etc usually need to be on the contaminated substance for a reasonable period of time. (This is dependant on the the species and usually the way a bug is spread gives you a good insight into it's vulnerability) For example, kennel cough is spread through aerosol particles and airborne viruses are usually weak within the atmosphere after a given period of time.  Basically the virus is coated with a protein that protects it from dying, this protein in airborne diseases is usually weak.

There is also another matter with infective diseases, this being the amount of substance present. In order to cause an effective reaction, a reasonable amount needs to be present on the host inorder to cause a reaction. the first strain of parvo virus generated a natural immunity in dogs because it was so virulant that all dogs were contaminated with small amounts and thus built up a natural immunity to it. Please note there are other strains of parvo virus that have been able to change and replicate their protein layers and this is why vaccination is an absolute must.

I know I'm probably going way over peoples heads with all this but it's because I want to explain why I recommend the following as routine methods of preventing your dog from getting disease.

1. Foot washing, just like hand washing, greatly reduces the amount of what we call 'bacterial load,' this being the amount of bacteria that can be present on your dog. It can reduce contamination of surgical instruments by as much as 80% and is the first stage of sterilising instruments within the NHS.

2. The use of disinfectants, anti-bacterial soaps etc will also lower the bacterial load but in fairness it's effectiveness depends upon the surfaces it's used on and it's ability to penetrate. The use of disinfectants does not sterilise. However it's better to wash your dogs feet in your own solution rather than using communal bowls as they can become a 'soup of bacteria', the same goes for water bowls.

Muzzles having lots of nucks and crannys are better to be soaked IMO and boards sprayed with disinfectant and left to air dry.

3. With regards to traps, a trap that is heavily contaminated with saliva is unlikely to be effectively cleaned with disinfectant spray as the solution needs to be working on the protein layers for a period of time usually 10 mins minimum on a smooth surface but even longer where there is visible contamination, e.g. pools of saliva. For this reason it is better to reduce the bacterial load by wiping the trap over with disposable paper towel rather than spraying and waiting. Obviously if both could be done it's even better but this isn't always feasible.

I hope this is useful to anyone who is concerned, I don't expect anyone to start doing protocols at racing events as really this is our own personal responsibility and it requires a great deal of routine commitment from the owner.

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Lots of good information there, thank you

 

[wild whippies]

NGRC Press Release

Latest press release from NGRC, I'm adding this because they're suspecting that the Strep Zoo infection that they've found on the dogs that died is closely related to the bacteria that wiped out 1,000 dogs in Nevada.

It should be noted, they're suspecting that another respiratory infection together with strep zoo overwhelmed the dogs defences. This may be relevant to this discussion.

As strep zoo is turning up positive on random swabs with dogs showing no symptoms, it is feasible they're are dogs who are acting as carriers and we are oblivous if our own dogs are infected with this as the bodies own immunity is keeping this at bay.

A concern for every dog owner, let alone greyhound owners is the fact they've also found similar (but not identical) outbreaks in other breeds of dogs.

 

[nova]

On Sunday ay Old Hall all the traps were cleaned out with virkon befor racing started, and there was a spray and a towel down by the traps all day. Like you say it takes time but all little helps, Piglet got our dogs traps ready every time and wipd the whole trap out and the bars inside out and when they hadraced they went back to the car we had our own foot dip and washed the muzzels out to.

 

[stormydog]

jac i think ive got it not my dogs..me !

john...with the dogs whos dad was painted and a full race-prepared black-monkey

 

[DavidH]

why wash there feet when its airborne :wacko:

 

[wild whippies]

why wash there feet when its airborne  :wacko:

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The term 'airborne' refers to the viruses ability to stay alive whilst in the air, however the time it is able to do this is limited because the protein covering usually needs to be kept moist. Influenza type viruses do this by being covered in saliva / mucous from the mouth or respiratory tract and enter the air as an aerosol form from sneezing and coughing.

An airborne viruses' ability to survive for long periods in the atmosphere is rare and not neccesarily in it's best interests to survive. For example if the avian flu had this ability, a massive amount of people in the world would of been killed by the virus and the only people alive now would be those who were immune to it. Like all life forms, viruses wish to reproduce, they can only do this on a host. If that host is dead or immune then this buggers the viruses chances up of reproducing.

The reason foot washing (along with other methods) is effective is because the virus can survive longer in moist conditions as it's protein layer is protected.

Sand is moist, furthermore feet with their folds and creases are also a nice dark moist place for a virus to survive.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[June Jonigk]

why wash there feet when its airborne  :wacko:

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The term 'airborne' refers to the viruses ability to stay alive whilst in the air, however the time it is able to do this is limited because the protein covering usually needs to be kept moist. Influenza type viruses do this by being covered in saliva / mucous from the mouth or respiratory tract and enter the air as an aerosol form from sneezing and coughing.

An airborne viruses' ability to survive for long periods in the atmosphere is rare and not neccesarily in it's best interests to survive. For example if the avian flu had this ability, a massive amount of people in the world would of been killed by the virus and the only people alive now would be those who were immune to it. Like all life forms, viruses wish to reproduce, they can only do this on a host. If that host is dead or immune then this buggers the viruses chances up of reproducing.

The reason foot washing (along with other methods) is effective is because the virus can survive longer in moist conditions as it's protein layer is protected.

Sand is moist, furthermore feet with their folds and creases are also a nice dark moist place for a virus to survive.

Hope this makes sense.

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Makes perfect sense Jac, and thanks for the info :thumbsup:

 

[weathergirls]

why wash there feet when its airborne  :wacko:

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feet should be washed wether there is any virus's around or not if only to get the sand and grit off them cleanliness is a virtue and a little common sense and time and effort from all dog owners go a long way to to help stopping these outbreaks becoming an epedemic as has been proven by the actions of the NGRC/AHT in containing the recent canine flue virus

The organisations have been doing what they can and thankfully some clubs a pointless task if owners are not prepared to do theirs

I take it you don't wash your hands when you've been for a sh*t either then if the papers thick :- "

 

[June Jonigk]

why wash there feet when its airborne  :wacko:

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I take it you don't wash your hands when you've been for a sh*t either then if the papers thick :- "

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(w00t) :lol: :lol: :lol: :teehee:

 

[Paws123]

If you observe a dog long enough , when put in a cage or kennel after any type of exercise , it will clean its self , most i have watched start at there feet... so if theres anything on the ground its covered this will be transfered from its feet into its mouth

Most diarrhea and sickness bugs are passed and recurring due to kennels , gardens etc not been disinfected properly

 

[wild whippies]

Like Dee says, dogs habitually wash themselves. My own whippets constantly groom each other, something I haven't seen in other breeds we've kept.

Stomach bugs and diorrhea are probably the most difficult to wipe out of all. They tend to be extremely tough to kill and even small amounts of faecal material can contain millions of contagious particles. It's why in humans, outbreaks have to be reported to enviromental health.

Parvo Virus as we all know is one such that has a remarkable resiliance as it's protein layer is incredibly tough, 1 ounce of dog poo can contain 35 million viral particles and they recon the average amount to cause an infection is only 1,000.

Eliminating the virus from kennels is impossible, all disinfection does is reduce the amount of particles to an acceptable level.

 

[DavidH]

point taken :b .my dogs feet do get washed with water after racing, and i do clean my a--e

 

[weathergirls]

point taken :b .my dogs feet do get washed with water after racing, and i do clean my a--e

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glad to hear it :thumbsup: not in the same bucket though I hope (w00t) (w00t) (w00t)

 

[milly]

why wash there feet when its airborne  :wacko:

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feet should be washed wether there is any virus's around or not if only to get the sand and grit off them cleanliness is a virtue and a little common sense and time and effort from all dog owners go a long way to to help stopping these outbreaks becoming an epedemic as has been proven by the actions of the NGRC/AHT in containing the recent canine flue virus

The organisations have been doing what they can and thankfully some clubs a pointless task if owners are not prepared to do theirs

I take it you don't wash your hands when you've been for a sh*t either then if the papers thick :- "

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Linda, if wit came out like shit, you'd be constipated :lol: