The Dangerous Effects Of Kennel Cough

Canine cough or Kennel Cough is actually bronchitis, characterized by a harsh, hacking cough. The disease is highly contagious, transmitted by air and wind currents contaminated by cough and sneeze droplets from infected canines. Kennel cough is actually a complex of infections, chief of which is Bordetella Bronchiseptice.

Bordetella is able to render the normal respiratory tracts safeguards against infections inoperable. It disables the immune cells that normally destroy bacteria. The incubation period is 2-14 days and is characterized by a non-productive hacking cough, and more complicated cases involve a greenish eye and nasal discharge, obvious breathing difficulties, and possibly pneumonia if left untreated.

Diagnosis is usually based on the clinical signs already given, wit possible x-rays to determine the extent of lung and airway restriction and a bacterial culture may be required in extreme cases to determine what other viruses, if any, are present before treatment can begin.

Treatment consists of an antibiotic therapy and cough suppressants if the coughing remains non-productive, as coughing can persist for up to three weeks after treatment with antibiotics. Injectable and intranasal vaccinations are available, with the intranasal being more effective, since it is applied directly to the respiratory system. It usually takes 4 days to generate an immune response after the intranasal vaccination, and vaccination is not useful in a dog that already has kennel cough.

In general, kennel cough is self-limiting and is only serious for very young puppies, especially if they have never been vaccinated and senior dogs that may have a weak immune system or already poor health. Annual vaccinations are the best prevention of this disease, but due to the many organisms involved, it may not give 100% protection. When in doubt always consult your Veterinarian as soon as possible.

Always remember, if you have any questions about your dogs health, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed http://Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest dog collars, dog clothes, pet supplies and more. Check them out at http://www.joncopets.com

Champions League Violent Match

The Champions League soccer game between Chelsea and Barcelona ended up with a storm of bottles and trash thrown down to the players and the referee on the game field.

Chelsea will be fined due to unsporting behavior after collecting six cards during the match in Barcelona which final score was a 2 2 draw.

According to a UEFA spokesman, there is an automatic punishment for any team that gets five or more yellow cards in one game. But the amount of the fine will be established until the reports from referee Stefano Farina and UEFA delegate at the game, Wolfgang Thierrichter are ready.

The reports will be examined for comments about the behavior of players from both squads who regularly crowded the referee to push him to make any decisions.

But Chelsea isnt the only one that is in trouble, Barcelona is too, as their fans started tossing bottles over the Chelsea players.

UEFA will wait to see if the referee Farina mentions Frank Rijkaard's post-match antics in his report or Jose Mourinho's elaborate touchline celebrations when Didier Drogba put the ball inside de frame to score the last goal that set the draw.

Now Barcelona is at risk of being the first title-holder to exit the Champions League in the group phase. The game was marked by 10 yellow cards for fouls, arguing and off-the-ball altercations.

Didier Drogba scored in the third minute of added time at the Nou Camp stadium yesterday. Deco and Eidur Gudjohnsen achieved the two goals for the Spaniard team and Frank Lampard scored Chelsea's other goal.

Julie Smith is one of the most recognized copy writers on Sports and currently writes for http://www.instantactionsports.com Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

The Loyal, Soft-Natured Newfoundland

The county fire department got the call from the animal shelter that a dog was trapped in a storm drain pipe. It took awhile but they finally succeeded in freeing the large black dog and she was taken to the local shelter for care. They had to completely shave her to get rid of all the mats.

She was obviously old and the days spent trapped in the drain pipe had affected her health. Who would ever adopt such a creature? They considered euthanizing her. But there was a shelter employee who would not give up on finding this dog a home.

The shelter employee called her neighbor, who happened to know someone who was interested in Newfoundland dogs. That is how Suzie ended up at our home.

Sweetness is the hallmark of the Newfoundland temperament, and Suzie was very sweet. They are also huge. Having Suzie lying across the family room floor was like having a black bear in the house. A male Newfoundland can weigh about 150 pounds. Suzie weighed in at 115 pounds. She ate as much as our other three dogs combined. Keep that in mind if you ever think of bringing one home.

The history of the Newfoundland could trace back to about 4 AD. Indian graves dating to that time have been found with skeletons of giant dogs. Whether those dogs were the ancestors of the Newfoundland dog is not verifiable, but it is known that the Newfoundland is one of the older dog breeds of today.

It is thought that the extinct American Black Wolf might be an ancestor to the Newfoundland. In turn, the Newfoundland is an ancestor of the present day Labrador and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and the St. Bernard owes its coat to the Newfoundland.

Today's Newfoundland makes a great family pet. Their keen sense of responsiblity makes them an excellent companion dog for children of any age.

The Newfoundland is loyal, dignified, fun-loving and soft-natured. They are also obedient, easygoing, fairly inactive indoors, and will even adapt to apartment living as long as they are taken on brisk walks every day.

Why such a sweet-tempered dog as Suzie ended up alone and abandoned we will never know. It's a sad fact that dog and cat abandonement is becoming more and more common in todays world where we discard anything that is no longer wanted. We need to educate people that it's better to take an unwanted dog or cat to a rescue or shelter than to drop them off in a field or strange neighborhood.

Suzie was with us for a year, living a life of leisure and comfort, before we had to euthanize her for her own sake. Her age had caught up to her. She was in pain and it was the kind thing to do. It is never easy to say goodbye to a pet, but Suzie was so gentle and loving it was especially hard to say goodbye. She will always be missed.

Copyright 2006 Carol Stack

Carol Stack has been working with dogs for more than three decades. She and her daughter, Christy, have created a web site that helps you care for, train, and choose your dog: http://www.christysdogportal.com