GRNSW continues to monitor and assess reports of disease in greyhounds, particularly in the Hunter Valley region.
Although many reports are consistent with the more common and self-limiting infectious respiratory diseases (viral ‘kennel cough’), this can still be considered a health burden for the dogs, a risk factor for contracting more serious secondary infections and an imposition on trainers and kennels.
For this reason, GRNSW is emphasising the importance of employing good bio-security and disease management practices.
If a dog within a facility is found to be coughing, it should be isolated for approximately two weeks to minimise spread of disease through viral shedding. Previously in contact dogs should be monitored for approximately one week to account for the incubation period of many respiratory pathogens.
Within this period it is strongly advised to avoid movement of any dogs from the facility to avoid spread of infection and to prevent exacerbation of the disease.
Any additional stress to the dogs in terms of travel, strenuous exercise and other challenges risks increasing the chance and severity of illness during periods of exposure.
Having healthy dogs vaccinated for kennel cough reduces the chance of the disease and the likelihood of contracting more serious secondary infections such as Streptococcus zooepidemicus.
Further testing is underway in an attempt to confirm previous reports of S.zooepidemicus. There have been no further confirmed cases of this disease.
GRNSW is continuing to monitor reports and work to formulate and implement disease surveillance strategies to best assist industry in the future.
