Kennel cough is a viral infection that passes easily between dogs, especially in stressful environments. It typically takes about 8-10 days after exposure for symptoms to develop, including sneezing, runny eyes or nose, and of course, a dry horrible-sounding cough.

While in rare cases kennel cough can become complicated, it is primarily a self-limiting illness, similar to the common cold, and will clear up in 10-14 without issue.

Because it is primarily a viral infection (in some cases, it can be bacterial), antibiotics typically will not help. However, there are some things you can do to help limit the infection and ease the symptoms while your dog heals.

When you first notice symptoms, fast your dog for 24 hours. This allows the body to concentrate its energy reserves to fight off infection, rather than digestion. During this time make sure there is plenty of fresh filtered water available, and you can give the dog an herbal cough syrup. (Over-the-counter, or make your own by mixing herbal tea with raw organic honey.)

Homeopathic treatment should also be started at the first sign of symptoms. Choices include:

Drosera- primary remedy for kennel cough

Aconite- for dogs who are fevered, thirsty, anxious

Belladonna- sudden onset of symptoms, fever, chills, sweating through feet pads

A popular and effective home remedy is to mix 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide and a teaspoon of honey in 8oz of filtered drinking water and give to the dog.

Run a humidifier filled with mullein tea in the dog’s room, or let him sit in the bathroom with a hot shower running to help sooth irritated throats.

Grapefruit seed extract mixed in a spray bottle can be used as a disinfectant to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Useful herbs include primarily Echinacea and Astragalus for an immune boost, and Mullein and Thyme to help soothe and suppress coughing. You might also try Licorice Root or Slippery Elm Bark for soothing and suppressing coughs. Remember to use whole herbs, not extracts.

The post Holistic Treatment for Kennel Cough appeared first on Tails of Success.

Plants and herbs offer numerous health benefits to people and animals alike. By taking advantage of the healing qualities of herbs, we can help keep our pets healthy and help them get well faster when they are sick.

When using herbs with our dogs, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind:

– Herbs, like many other things, should be used in moderation. While they do not possess the same dangers of overdose as pharmaceuticals, it is possible to over do it with herbs and have negative consequences result.

– When we use herbs for specific ailments, it is best to use them short –term until we see results, no longer than 30 days, or under the guidance of a holistic veterinarian.

– For gentle tonic herbs that we plan to use long term to promote health, they should be administered cyclically to give the body a periodic rest. This is most commonly done with a five days on, two days off pattern.

– Because of our dogs’ short digestive tracts, they cannot digest plant material the same way people can. For this reason, our dogs will not derive as many of the health benefits herbs have to offer in their whole form that they might using a tincture or powdered herb.

Following is a list of some of the uses and benefits of many of the herbs commonly used with dogs.

Alfalfa – Known as the “King of Herbs”, alfalfa is loaded with an abundance of vitamins and minerals. The leaves of this plant improve digestion and reduce inflammatory conditions, including arthritis. Alfalfa also helps to alkalinize the urine and alleviate bladder issues.

Aloe – The gel from the aloe vera leaf is applied topically as an excellent wound healer and burn soother. The gel is antibacterial and antiviral, and can be used on flea and insect bites, hot spots, and post-surgical incisions. Taken internally, aloe increases immune function, aids digestion, and has anti-tumor activity. A commercial product is best for internal use, because fresh aloe has a powerful laxative effect.

Astragalus Root – An excellent immune boosting herb, astragalus strengthens the kidney and liver, and can help restore energy to weak and debilitated animals. It is also a great remedy for respiratory ailments, including kennel cough.

Burdock Root – Burdock is a blood cleanser that helps detoxify the body by aiding in the expulsion of pollutants from the blood. It is excellent for skin conditions and arthritis or other inflammatory problems. Burdock is also great for ridding the body of toxins during the switch to a natural diet.

Calendula – The petals of this plant are great to use topically for inflammatory skin conditions, burns, and hotspots. Calendula is antibacterial and antifungal, and has speedy would healing properties. In fact, it heals skin so quickly that it should not be used on abscesses, punctures, or other wounds that need time to drain. Calendula can also be used internally for inflammatory problems and candidiasis (yeast overgrowth.)

Cayenne – Strengthening the heart and circulatory system, cayenne increases circulation and helps balance blood pressure. It also aids digestion and helps reduce flatulence. Topically, cayenne can be applied to arthritic joints or inflammation to help increase circulation and reduce pain. Cayenne powder applied to a wound will also help quickly stop blood flow. Be sure to keep away from mucous membranes to avoid a painful burning sensation.

Chamomile – One of the safest and gentlest of herbs, chamomile is well known for its calming and relaxing properties and its ability to reduce tension and irritability and promote restful sleep. Chamomile is also a top choice for digestive system health and helps to reduce vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. Topically, a chamomile hair rinse leaves the coat bright and shiny, soothes and moisturizes skin, reduces dander, and alleviates discomfort from skin allergies or infections. A well-strained chamomile tea also makes a gentle anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial eyewash.

Corn silk – Corn silk is specific to the urinary system and helps treat urinary tract and kidney infections, reduce kidney and bladder stones, and strengthen the bladder, helping to reduce incontinence.

Dandelion – The root of this plant is a tonic for the urinary system and liver, and its gentle diuretic action helps with congestive heart failure and edema without depleting the body of potassium. Dandelion greens are highly nutritious, full of vitamin and minerals, and help stimulate digestion. Dandelion blossoms have pain relieving qualities.

Echinacea – The root is the most potent part of this immune balancing herb, know for its remarkable ability to fight off illness and infection if taken at the first signs of discomfort. For this purpose, echinacea is best taken in small doses in frequent, two-hour intervals. It is also helpful for inflammatory conditions and helps to reduce pain and swelling.

Garlic – Garlic is a potent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal that stimulates immune function and helps fight off infection and parasites. It strengthens the liver and is a cardiovascular tonic. Topically, garlic can be used as an antibiotic and infused in olive oil it makes an excellent remedy for ear infection and ear mites. Garlic should be used with caution and never given to young puppies, as at high doses it has been shown to cause anemia in some dogs. A good dose to try is about 1/8 tsp of fresh garlic in each pound of food fed.

Ginger Root – A warming herb good for increasing circulation, aiding digestion, and helping reduce flatulence, nausea, and motion sickness.

Hawthorne Berry – An antioxidant and cardiac tonic, hawthorne is the first choice for any heart condition. It normalizes heart activity, regulates rhythm, and improves circulation.

Lavender – Lavender is known for its calming properties, but has numerous other benefits as well. It makes a great rinse to reduce excess skin oil and alleviate itchiness. Vaporizing lavender helps relieve coughs and ease respiratory infections. Lavender oil can be massaged into joint to reduce stiffness and inflammation. It also works as a mild insect repellant to help keep away flies, mosquitoes, and ticks.

Licorice Root – Licorice is a fast acting anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant that works to reduce pain, itching, and inflammation while soothing the gastrointestinal tract. It stimulates the adrenals, making it an excellent alternative to steroids and a benefit to conditions such as skin conditions, arthritis, and Addison’s disease. It is also a nice expectorant, helping to reduce coughs and phlegm and soothe irritated mucous membranes in conditions like bronchitis and kennel cough. Topically, licorice root serves as an anti-inflammatory for skin disorders. It should not be used internally in diabetic animals.

Milk Thistle Seed – Milk thistle protects and regenerates the liver, even reversing previous liver damage. Use to aid in recovery from serious diseases such as parvovirus and leptospirosis, and to help the body recuperate after anesthesia.

Mullein Leaf – The antimicrobial and antiviral action combined with its ability to ease coughs make mullein the perfect herb for treating kennel cough and bronchial infections. The flowers of this herb can be infused in oil to make a potent remedy for ear infections and ear mites.

Nettle Leaf – Nettle is highly nutritious, loaded with vitamins and minerals. This tonic herb benefits the whole body, especially the respiratory and urinary systems and skin and coat, but it is best known for its ability to decrease the severity of seasonal allergies. Topically, a nettle rinse helps decrease dander, relieves dry and itchy skin, and stimulates hair regrowth.

Oregon Grape Root – This strong antibacterial stimulates increased liver function and digestion and is especially helpful in cases of chronic skin disease and constipation. An oil infusion of Oregon Grape Root can be used topically for cuts, stings, and punctures, and for ear infections or ear mites.

Parsley – Parsley is a highly nutritive herb that helps regulate the body’s pH and aids digestion. It is an excellent choice for kidney and urinary issues, including stones and infections.

Red Clover Blossoms – A blood purifier used both internally and externally for dry, flaky, itchy skin, and to relieve coughs. Combined with burdock root, red clover has been shown to have anti-cancer activity.

Sarsaparilla Root – Sarsaparilla is a detoxifying herb excellent for skin conditions, especially those that are irritated, scaly, or eruptive. It is also an anti inflammatory good for arthritis and helps to lower fevers and aid kidney function.

Slippery Elm Bark – Slippery elm bark is a digestive tonic, nutritious and soothing, and helps lubricate the digestive tract, easing both constipation and diarrhea. It also helps to ease coughs and irritated throats. Combined with a bit of honey, slippery elm makes a gentle and nutritious porridge for sick or convalescing animals. It can also be used externally as a salve for wounds and abscesses.

Thyme – An antiseptic expectorant and cough suppressant that aids the digestive system, eases flatulence, and diarrhea, and helps the body expel parasites. Thyme can also be used topically as an antiseptic and antifungal for skin infections.

Turmeric – An antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver protecting herb that helps to lower blood sugar, increase digestion and circulation, and regulate and balance hormones. Turmeric also inhibits cancer and tumor growth.

Valerian Root – A potent herb used to calm nerves, decrease anxiety and aggression, and to relieve tension, restlessness, and pain. Valerian has also been used to alleviate separation anxiety and help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in epileptic animals.

Yarrow Flowers – Externally, yarrow can be used to stop bleeding and as a skin rinse to alleviate pain and itching and help repel flies, fleas, and mosquitoes. Internally, yarrow is a versatile herb with anti-inflammatory properties that relieve arthritis and dermatitis, decrease fever, ease cold, flu, pneumonia and respiratory infections, soothe upset stomachs, increase digestion and appetite, help expel worms, and repair kidney and urinary tract infections.

Yellow Dock Root – One of the first choices for skin problems, yellow dock is a blood cleanser that can be used internally or externally to ease dry, itchy skin and helps clear chronic skin conditions, including ringworm. Yellow dock’s high iron content and anti-inflammatory properties make it helpful in cases of anemia, arthritis, and constipation.

Resources:

Dr. Kidds Guide to Herbal Dog Care by Randy Kidd, DVM, 2000 Storey Publishing

The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care by CJ Puotinen, 2000 McGraw Hill

Herbs for Pets by Gregory Tilford and Mary Wulff, 2009 Bow Tie Press

The post Herbs for Dogs appeared first on Tails of Success.

Many kennels, groomers, doggy daycares, and training facilities these days require dogs to be vaccinated for kennel cough before they are allowed to attend. But, just what is kennel cough, and how safe is the vaccine?

Kennel cough is a viral infection that passes between dogs, especially in stressful environments. It typically takes about 8-10 days after exposure for symptoms to develop, including sneezing, runny eyes or nose, and of course, a dry horrible-sounding cough.

While kennel cough certainly sounds scary because of its characteristic dry, hacking cough, it is a mild illness that can be easily treated with gentle, natural remedies. There are many resources to consult on treating kennel cough at home. These treatments typically include boosting the dog’s immune system and gently soothing its cough. Kennel cough is a self-limiting disease, which means that in all but a few rare cases, the illness will clear up on its own even without treatment.

Because kennel cough has a tendency to proliferate in situations in which multiple dogs are in close quarters, many establishment owners require dogs to receive the kennel cough, or bordatella, vaccine before allowing them onto their premises in an effort to keep kennel cough at bay. There are several problems to this practice, however, and mandatory vaccination isn’t providing the protection sought.

Problems with the kennel cough vaccine are that it does not prevent the animal from contracting kennel cough since it cannot provide immunity against all strains, the vaccine will often cause the animal to develop the symptoms of kennel cough, and the vaccine often causes the animal to shed the kennel cough virus for a short period, exposing all other animals that they come in contact with to the illness. (This is in addition to the problems associated with vaccination in general, included to the dangers of adjuvants, the onslaught to the immune system, vaccinosis, and vaccine-related side-effects.)

The 2010 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats distributed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association contains this statement: “Canine respiratory disease complex (kennel cough) is not a vaccine-preventable disease and the vaccine should only be used to help manage the disease.” This means that, at best, the vaccine will reduce the length and severity of the kennel cough symptoms by a minor degree if your animal contracts the illness.

Kennel cough is essentially the canine equivalent of the common cold in humans. This means two things: 1. it is not a serious illness, and is self-limiting (like the common cold, it will run its course naturally within a week or two). 2. there are many different strains of kennel cough out there (as there are with the common cold), so the vaccine itself has limited usefulness in that regard. The dog must be vaccinated for the same strain it is exposed to for the vaccine to even have a chance at being effective.

Following this logic, several well-known veterinarians have gone on record stating that they do not feel the bordatella vaccine is useful in preventing kennel cough in dogs:

Leading vaccination expert Dr Ronald Schultz states: “Don’t even use the injectible Bordatella. There are very real issues against injecting bacterins and the risk of the vaccine reactions does not outweigh the risk of contracting the disease. Kennel cough is not vaccine preventable because of the complex factors associated with this disease. Furthermore, kennel cough is often a mild to moderate self limiting disease, which I refer to as the ‘Canine Cold.’”

Doctor Karen Becker, DVM commented: “The truth is, these vaccines are ineffective and will not prevent your dog from getting kennel cough. The infection is caused by a wide variety of bacterial and viral agents, and no single vaccine can provide protection from them all.”

Dr. Patricia Monahan Jordan writes: “Kennel Cough is not a vaccine preventable disease, realize this and stop the boarding kennels from making the dogs sick. Stress, diet, crowding, ventilation—all play a part in who gets what and how bad they get it. Only vaccinate against what is necessary. Anytime you inject anything into a patient you have the potential of killing them.”

The animal’s own immune system is another large factor to consider when thinking about kennel cough and vaccination. If the animal has strong natural immunity, they are able to fight off a kennel cough infection naturally, even if exposed to the virus. In fact, exposing a healthy animal to low levels of the virus helps them to develop natural immunity to kennel cough. An article from the Whole Dog Journal states “These exposures, in essence, will ‘vaccinate’ the dog naturally, as his immune system learns to recognize and mount a defense against the ubiquitous pathogens.”

Kennel cough can be holistically prevented without the use of vaccination. Veterinarian Dr. Cynthia Lakenau explains that kennel cough manifests itself in the dog’s trachea. This usually only happens when the dog has tracheal irritation that gives the kennel cough virus a foothold to get into the dog’s system. This irritation usually results from the harsh chemical cleaning agents used in the kennel environment (hence its prevalence in dog kennels).

A study done by Dr. Christopher Day in the 1980’s effectively demonstrated that the kennel cough nosode is more effective than the vaccine at preventing an outbreak of kennel cough in boarding facilities. In a letter to congress, Dr. Gloria Dodd used Day’s research to point out: “There is a safer, effective form of immunization that has been documented for over 2000 years in Greece and Europe: the use of homeopathic vaccine nosodes. Today many veterinarians in this country, Great Britain, and Germany are using this preferred method of vaccination. Scientific studies have been published by Dr. Christopher Day (England) who proved the use of the Kennel Cough Nosode reduced the incidence of Kennel Cough in a boarding kennel of 254 dogs by 98% with no adverse reactions.” Owners who are concerned about kennel cough might look for a veterinarian in their area who offers nosode treatment rather than vaccinating their dogs.

Finally, in a pro-vaccination paper by Dr Daniel Kiel, the following information is contained:

1. “Findings consistent with rhinitis, bronchitis, or tracheitis were noted in 50-100% of vaccinated dogs following exposure to B. bronchiseptica.”

2. “In addition, bacterins may contain endotoxin, a component of gram-negative bacterial cell walls. Endotoxin contamination can lead to systemic vaccination reactions and occasionally death.”

3. “While these outbreaks did result in many [racing greyhounds] being temporarily unable to perform, to our knowledge, no deaths can be attributed to the pathogens associated with the KC complex.”

What this essentially says is that 50-100% of dogs vaccinated for kennel cough will still show symptoms of the illness after exposure, the vaccine sometimes leads to reactions including death, and kennel cough is not known to have caused any deaths. When we vaccinate for kennel cough, we choose to inject a vaccine that has caused death in some animals in an attempt to prevent an illness that is not known to cause death, with a vaccine that is less than 50% effective in preventing symptoms of that illness in the first place.

Consider the above information carefully when deciding whether or not to vaccinate your dog for kennel cough. No vaccine is without risk, and as owners, it is our responsibility to weigh the risks vs benefits for ourselves, and make the best decision possible for our pets.

The problem we run into is that while we are certainly free to choose not to vaccinate, owners of doggy establishments are also free to set their own policies regarding required vaccinations for dogs they will allow on their property. If you choose not to vaccinate your pup for kennel cough, you may run into trouble when looking for a place to take your dog for boarding, training, or daycare. But, there are a few things you can try:

Look for an establishment that shares your holistic viewpoint and has lighter vaccine requirements.

Share what you have learned about the dangers and ineffectiveness of the bordatella vaccination with the owner of the business, and see if they would be willing to grant you a waiver, or accept a nosode in place of vaccination.

Consider having one-on-one services instead of bringing your dog to a group facility. Many professionals will come to your home for pet sitting, mobile grooming, or private training. If your dog will not be around other dogs, there is no reason for vaccination.

The post Kennel Cough Vaccination in Dogs appeared first on Tails of Success.

I take a very holistic approach to healthcare with my animals, and so I choose not to vaccinate my own pets for Bordatella. I have also chosen not to require this vaccination at my dog daycare and training facility. This paper is a brief discussion of my personal position, and contains supportive documentation from veterinary experts.

Years ago, when I had my first job at a vet’s office, I vaccinated all of my dogs for Bordatella, and successfully encouraged clients to vaccinate their pets for it as well. When all of my vaccinated dogs contracted kennel cough, I began to wonder what the point of vaccinating them in the first place was, and elected to skip the vaccine the following year. This decision at that point was based solely on that experience, and not on any actual education about the effectiveness of the vaccine.

A few years later, I began studying things like diet and vaccines because of a sick dog, and what I found shocked me, considering my eduction thus far had been very allopathic. The more I learned, the more holistically-minded I became.

I now had good reason to avoid the kennel cough vaccine, not just my own experience of having a houseful of vaccinated dogs contract the illness. While studying holistic healthcare for animals, I learned about the science behind vaccines, including how they are supposed to work, how they actually work, how the immune system works, and the dangers associated with vaccination.

To get into the effectiveness, dangers, and side-effects (including things like vaccinosis, skin allergies, and cancer) associated with vaccination in general is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice to say that research continues to mount showing that vaccines are not as safe as they were once considered to be, and a limited vaccine schedule is now recommended by leading experts in this field. One such expert, Dr. Ronald Schultz, wrote, “Vaccines can and do cause adverse reactions, thus don’t administer vaccines if and when they are not needed. Vaccines can cause severe adverse reactions, including death!” The current standard for vaccination is the protocol put forth by Dr. Jean Dodds, the leading expert in vaccine research. However, many holistic-minded owners and veterinarians still elect to use a lighter vaccine protocol than the Dodds standard.

The animal’s own immune system is another large factor to consider when thinking about kennel cough and vaccination. If the animal has strong natural immunity, they are able to fight off a kennel cough infection naturally, even if exposed to the virus. In fact, exposing a healthy animal to low levels of the virus helps them to develop natural immunity to kennel cough. An article from the Whole Dog Journal states “These exposures, in essence, will ‘vaccinate’ the dog naturally, as his immune system learns to recognize and mount a defense against the ubiquitous pathogens.”

This follows the logic of vaccinations themselves, which is that if you expose the animal to small amounts of a pathogen, this will stimulate the immune system, and the body will begin to develop natural antibodies to this disease. Therefore, if the dog ever comes across this germ naturally, the body will already have a system in place for dealing with that specific pathogen.

However, there are still several flaws to this. First, if the animal is vaccinated while it is in a weakened immune state, its body may not be prepared to deal with the onslaught of pathogens or may not be strong enough to develop the immunity that the vaccine is intending. Second, delivery via injection into the bloodstream (especially of several pathogens at once, as in the case of polyvalent or “combo” vaccines) is also an unnatural way to stimulate immunity, considering that an animal would rarely be exposed to pathogens in that fashion naturally. To this regard, Dr. Martin Goldstein comments that naturally, most of the diseases addressed by standard vaccines “are all absorbed via the oral and/or respiratory systems, where they encounter the immune system’s first line of defense…and the rest of the immune system is warned that a viral threat is coming, and given time to rally its white blood cells and antibodies.” Injecting the pathogen directly into the bloodstream of the animal does not give their body this defensive luxury. Dr. Ronald Schultz has also commented on this topic in regard to the kennel cough vaccine specifically: “Don’t even use the injectible Bordatella: there are very real issues against injecting bacterins and the risk of the vaccine reactions does not outweigh the risk of contracting the disease.”

In my own experience, I have a houseful of dogs and do rescue and foster work. I find that when I bring in a foster that has come from a shelter (who of course elects to vaccinate the dog for many things including kennel cough just before sending them to me), they will begin to show symptoms of kennel cough shortly after coming into my home. Even though these dogs are in close quarters with my own dogs, my dogs do not develop the symptoms of kennel cough. I believe that this is because of the natural immunity of my (unvaccinated) animals as a result of their healthy and holistic lifestyle. This observation is based on many instances over the course of several years. Kennel cough does not seem to transfer to my dogs, even in close quarters. (These include some of the same dogs, by the way, that contracted kennel cough all those years ago when they were vaccinated.)

Kennel cough is essentially the canine equivalent of the common cold in humans. This means two things: 1. it is not a serious illness, and is self-limiting (this means that, like the common cold, it will run its course naturally within a week or two). 2. there many different strains of kennel cough out there (as there are with the common cold), so the vaccine itself has limited usefulness in that regard. The dog must be vaccinated for the same strain it is exposed to for it to even have a chance at being effective. On this matter, several veterinarians, including vaccination expert Dr. Ronald Schultz have comment: “kennel cough is not vaccine preventable because of the complex factors associated with this disease. Furthermore, kennel cough is often a mild to moderate self limiting disease, which I refer to as the ‘Canine Cold.’”

Doctor Karen Becker, DVM states: “The truth is, these vaccines are ineffective and will not prevent your dog from getting kennel cough. The infection is caused by a wide variety of bacterial and viral agents, and no single vaccine can provide protection from them all.”

Finally on this matter, Dr. Patricia Monahan Jordan writes: “Kennel Cough is NOT A VACCINATABLE DISEASE, realize this and stop the boarding kennels from making the dogs sick. In people, cows, dogs, cats, horses, birds etc, the respiratory disease complex is also not a vaccine preventable disease. Stress, diet, crowding, ventilation—all play a part in who gets what and how bad they get it. Only vaccinate against WHAT IS NECESSARY. Anytime you inject anything into a patient you have the potential of killing them.”

Problems with the kennel cough vaccine are that it does not prevent the animal from contracting kennel cough since it cannot provide immunity against all strains, the vaccine will often cause the animal to develop the symptoms of kennel cough, and the vaccine often causes the animal to shed the kennel cough virus for a short period, exposing all other animals that they come in contact with to the illness. (This is in addition to the problems associated with vaccination in general, included to the dangers of adjuvants, the onslaught to the immune system, and vaccine-related side-effects.) At best, the vaccine will reduce the length and severity of the kennel cough symptoms by a minor degree if your animal contracts the illness. The 2010 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats distributed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association contains this statement: “Canine respiratory disease complex (kennel cough) is not a vaccine-preventable disease and the vaccine should only be used to help manage the disease.”

In a pro-vaccination paper by Dr Daniel Kiel, the following information is contained:

1. “Findings consistent with rhinitis, bronchitis, or tracheitis were noted in 50-100% of vaccinated dogs following exposure to B. bronchiseptica.”

2. “In addition, bacterins may contain endotoxin, a component of gram-negative bacterial cell walls. Endotoxin contamination can lead to systemic vaccination reactions and occasionally death.”

3. “While these outbreaks did result in many [racing greyhounds] being temporarily unable to

perform, to our knowledge, no deaths can be attributed to the pathogens associated with the KC

complex.”

What this essentially says is that 50-100% of dogs vaccinated for kennel cough will still show symptoms of the illness after exposure, the vaccine sometimes leads to reactions including death, and kennel cough alone is not known to have caused any deaths. Why on earth would we choose to inject a vaccine that has caused death in some animals in an attempt to prevent an illness that is not known to cause death, especially when the vaccine is less than 50% effective in preventing symptoms of that illness in the first place?! This simply makes no sense!

While kennel cough certainly sounds scary because of its characteristic dry, hacking cough, it is a mild illness that can be easily treated with gentle, natural remedies. There are many resources to consult on treating kennel cough at home. These treatments typically include boosting the dog’s immune system and gently soothing its cough. Again, kennel cough is a self-limiting disease, which means that in all but a few rare cases, the illness will clear up on its own even without treatment.

Kennel cough can also be holistically prevented without the use of vaccination. In a recent personal conversation with holistic veterinarian Dr. Cynthia Lakenau, she explained to me that kennel cough manifests itself in the dogs trachea. Dr. Lakenau stated that this usually only happens when the dog has tracheal irritation that gives the kennel cough virus a foothold to get into the dog’s system. This irritation is usually resultant from the harsh chemical cleaning agents used in the kennel environment (hence its prevalence in dog kennels). This sentiment is supported in an article by Dr. Wendy Brooks. Dr. Brooks states: “The normal respiratory tract has substantial safeguards against invading infectious agents. One safeguard consists of tiny hair-like structures called cilia that protrude from the cells lining the respiratory tract, and extend into a coat of mucus over them. Debris, including infectious agents, get trapped in the sticky gel and the cilia move them upward towards the throat where the collection of debris and mucus may be coughed up and/or swallowed. Without this protective mechanism, invading bacteria, especially Bordetella bronchiseptica, the chief agent of kennel cough, may simply march down the airways unimpeded.” She also lists a number of factors that will damage this mechanism.

Dr. Lakenau suggested that since we use only natural, non-toxic, non-irritating cleaning agents in my facility, dogs would be unlikely to have tracheal irritation, and therefore unlikely to succumb to kennel cough virus should it be brought through my doors.

Dr. Lakenau also mentioned a study done by Dr. Christopher Day in the 1980s that effectively demonstrated that the kennel cough nosode is more effective than the vaccine at preventing an outbreak of kennel cough in boarding facilities. She suggested that owners who are concerned about contracting kennel cough might look for a veterinarian in the area who offers nosode treatment rather than vaccinating their dogs.

In a letter to congress, Dr. Gloria Dodd used Dr. Day’s research to point out: “There is a safer, effective form of immunization that has been documented for over 2000 years in Greece and Europe: the use of homeopathic vaccine nosodes. Today many veterinarians in this country, Great Britain and Germany are using this preferred method of vaccination. Scientific studies have been published by Dr. Christopher Day (England) who proved the use of the Kennel Cough Nosode reduced the incidence of Kennel Cough in a boarding kennel of 254 dogs by 98% with no adverse reactions. He published in the Journal Int Assoc Vet Homeopathy 4/87.”

As a result of my personal experience, the extensive documentation of the dangers of vaccination in general (not discussed in this article), and evidence that the kennel cough vaccine is ineffective at best, I have elected not to subject my personal dogs to this vaccination. Because of my personal decision regarding what is best for my own pets, I do not feel that it would be ethical to require clients coming into my facility to subject their dogs to something I refuse to use on my own pets. My vaccine policy is well-researched and based on what I feel is the best interest of the dogs whose care is entrusted to me.

Resources:

Whole Dog Journal publication “All’s Well”, edited by Nancy Kearns 2007

Dr. Martin Goldstein, The Nature of Animal Healing 1999

Dr. Karen Becker: https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/09/09/9-natural-remedies-for-kennel-cough.aspx

2010 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats distributed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association: https://www.wsava.org/PDF/Misc/VaccinationGuidelines2010.pdf

Dr. Patricia Jordan: https://www.canine-health-concern.org.uk/Jordan%20AHVMA%20Journal%20Summary%20of%20Schultz%20Presentation.pdf

Dr. Ronald Schultz: https://www.kanabvet.com/articles/Schultz_Vaccinations.pdf

Dr. Gloria Dodd: https://www.cavm.net/Files/Dodd.pdf

Dr. Daniel Kiel: https://www.vet.ksu.edu/depts/dmp/service/serology/Kennel_Cough.pdf

Dr. Wendy Brooks: https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=600

The post Kennel Cough Vaccination in Dogs – Extended Version appeared first on Tails of Success.

Band-aids are great to use in combination with a behavior modification plan. They can help give some immediate relief and make the training program go more smoothly. Remember that band-aids are just that: a temporary cover that we can use while we heal the problem from the inside. The actual healing can be done only with an effective behavior modification plan. Band-aids cover up the symptoms, and those symptoms will return full-force as soon as the band-aid is removed unless you address the underlying cause of the dog’s issues first.

Thundershirt Anxiety Wrap – Thundershirt is a pressure wrap. It is just like when we swaddle a crying baby by wrapping him tightly in blankets to soothe and quiet him. Thundershirts soothe and quiet dogs in the same manner. I have used Thundershirt for a variety of different conditions with amazing results, including:

Shy and nervous dogs
Hyper, distracted, or unfocused dogs
Excessive barking
Separation anxiety
Fear of thunderstorms or fireworks
Vet visits

Thundershirt typically takes about 15 mins to have a noticeable effect, and can be purchased at Tails of Success.

DAP Diffuser (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) – DAP diffuses a pheromone that mimics those secreted in mother’s milk and has a calming and comforting effect on most dogs. It is completely odorless to humans, and must be refilled every 4-6 weeks. DAP also comes in a plug-in, spray and collar form. This is available at Tails of Success and most vet offices and pet stores.

Bach Flower Remedies – Bach flowers help to gently clear away the negative emotions of our dogs to help them feel better. These drops can be added to a dog’s food or drinking water, or massaged into the flap of their ears (typical dosage is 4 drops 4x daily), and have a subtle, long-term effect. Options for using Bach flowers:

1. Rescue Remedy – Rescue Remedy is a great place to start if you are unfamiliar with flower essences and is used for a variety of problems. RR can be purchased at Wegman’s for about $10.

2. Custom Formulas – Because every dog is completely individual, pre-formulated remedies may not offer precisely what your dog needs. A custom remedy is specially formulated based specifically on your dog’s personality and needs, and is often the best option. Creating custom remedies is a service offered by Tails of Success.

Chamomile Tea – Pouring Chamomile tea over your dog’s food can help reduce anxiety, irritability, and aggression. It has the added benefits of being an anti-inflammatory and carminative (aids digestion and relieves gas) and is gentle enough even for newborn babies. This can be used daily with no worries.

Valerian – Valerian is another herb for tension, anxiety and aggression. Sprinkle a bit of whole root powder (do not use standardized) over your dog’s food. Valerian is also a great pain-reliever and good for upset tummies. Use cyclically after the first 30 days. Nature’s Way capsules (green cap!) can be purchased at Wegmans.

Lavender Essential Oil – Lavender has a gentle, calming effect. Add a few drops of oil to bedding or a cotton ball in an area your dog frequently sleeps. Lavender can also be used topically to help with itching or bug bites.

Through a Dog’s Ear CD – Gentle, relaxing music bioacoustically engineered to help calm dogs with soothing vibrations. There are several varieties and they can purchased at Tails of Success.

Lactium – Lactium is a milk protein isolate that works with the dog’s brain chemistry to help calm the dog and decrease their tension and anxiety. Dosage is 15-50 mg/kg. Order Swanson Vitamins Women’s Anti-stress Formula online. Also available at Tails of Success.

L-Theanine and L-Tryptophan – Other amino acids to try that will gently regulate the dog’s brain chemistry. Theanine – 5mg/kg, Tryptophan – 15mg/kg. Also available at Tails of Success and Swanson Vitamins.

Tellington Touch – TTouch is a relaxing, focused way of petting your dog. Rest one hand gently on one side of your dog, and use the fingers of your other hand to make slow circles (rest the heel of your hand on your dog for stabilization). Use just enough pressure to move the dog’s skin with your fingertips (rather than deep pressure or just sliding your fingers over the dog’s skin). Each circle should actually be 1¼ circles, or from 6 o’clock all the way around again to 8 o’clock. Do one rotation, then move your hand to a new spot and circle again. Continue this process all over your dog’s body.

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Demodex is mainly an immune system issue. Dogs usually have these skin mites without a problem, but if they have a weak or compromised immune system, they can become overwhelmed by the mites and this is where we begin to see the hair loss and horrible skin issues.

Typical Western treatment involves loading the animal with toxic chemicals, including Ivermectin, which further deplete the immune system. For this reason, Western treatments often fail and many of these poor dogs are euthanised to end their suffering.

As with most conditions, the FIRST thing we need to look at is diet. After all, as you have heard me lecture before, food is the foundation of all that we are! A proper raw diet is the best choice, but if you elect to go with a commercially prepared pet food, please make sure to choose one of the highest quality. (Please see handout “Choosing a Quality Pet Food”)

We also need to make sure that we are looking for environmental toxins that our dogs may be exposed to as well. Serve filtered or spring water only, and look at what you are using as cleaning agents around the home. (Dish and laundry detergents, floor cleaners, etc.)

Do NOT vaccinate a dog who has succumbed to demodex! One more time: DO NOT VACCINATE! Vaccinations severely

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