Recommend Dog Owners Vaccinate for Kennel Cough

Due to an increase in canine kennel cough in the province, the City of St. John’s is recommending all dogs receive the kennel cough vaccination before visiting City dog parks.

Kennel cough is an infectious bronchitis characterized by a harsh, hacking cough that most dog owners describe as sounding like something is stuck in the dog’s throat.

Dogs that are coughing or have had a cough in the past two weeks are not permitted entry to City dog parks.

Vaccinations for kennel cough are available at veterinary and animal health clinics and are recommended for animals at high risk of exposure including dogs frequently kenneled, enrolled in behaviour classes or in regular contact with other dogs. Young and senior dogs are more likely to develop complications from kennel cough. No vaccine is 100 per cent effective however a vaccinated dog will have milder symptoms and a shorter duration of symptoms than an unvaccinated dog.

For further information:
Shelley Pardy
Communications and Public Relations Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 576-4510
Cell: (709) 699-4091
E-mail: communications@stjohns.ca