Industry Notice: Kennel Cough Vaccination

Tasracing is aware that there are further kennels with reported signs of kennel cough in Tasmania.

Kennel Cough is a rapidly spreading respiratory infection that affects dogs. It is caused by one or more viruses and bacteria that affect the upper part of the dog’s respiratory tract.

Clinical signs of infection include:

• a characteristic dry, hacking cough, sometimes in coughing fits
• sneezing and nasal/eye discharge

The disease spreads quickly through a group of dogs in a kennel environment when infective microorganisms are coughed into the air by an infected dog.

Tasracing encourages all participants to discuss boosting their greyhounds’ kennel cough vaccination with their veterinarians.

Consider vaccination if:

• the greyhound’s last C5 vaccination was administered more than 6 months ago
• your greyhound is not currently showing clinical signs of kennel cough and your kennel has not recently had cases of kennel cough

There are newer types of kennel cough vaccine available that are administered via the dog’s nose or mouth; these vaccine types produce more effective local immunity and provide a stronger barrier to infection.

Please remember to give your dog at least a week’s rest after any vaccination; this enables the body to maximise the response to the vaccine and build optimum immunity.

Greyhounds Australasia Rule 25

(6) Unless a Controlling Body determines otherwise, a greyhound must not compete in any Event within five days of the date it was administered a vaccine.