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| What Is ITB? |
| ITB stands for infectious tracheobronchitis. It is the medical term for what is commonly
referred to as "canine cough," the most prevalent upper respiratory infection of dogs of all ages. |
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| How Can My Dog Contract It? |
| Your dog can catch ITB from other dogs, from contaminated toys or bowls or from contaminated
premises. |
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| Where Do Dogs Contract It? |
| Dogs can catch ITB almost anywhere! Some common situations that may put your dog at risk include
playing in the park, participating in training or obedience classes, meeting other dogs at pet resorts or doggy daycare, being
exposed to other dogs while staying with your friends or family or when moving to a new home, being boarded or groomed and
stopping at highway rest areas. |
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| How Can I Prevent It? |
| See your veterinarian and ask about ITB protection, as ITB is really a series of infections that
can include the viral |
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| pathogens CPIV and CAV-2. Effective vaccines like BRONCHICINE® CAe
are easy to administer and cause little discomfort. The only way
to prevent exposure is to avoid all contact with other dogs or where other dogs have been, which would be nearly impossible. |
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| Can My Other Pets Contract It? |
| Yes! Other dogs, including puppies and geriatric dogs, can get ITB, especially in multi-dog households.
At this time, there are no known cases of ITB having been transmitted from dogs to other pet species or from other pet species to dogs. |
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| Can People Contract It? |
| There are no known cases of people having caught ITB from their dogs. |
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| Where Can I Go for Help? |
| See your veterinarian. He or she knows all about Bordetella bronchiseptica, the bacteria that causes ITB,
and is knowledgeable of vaccines like BRONCHICINE® CAe that can easily be administered to help protect your dog. |
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| How Is ITB Treated? |
| Severe ITB can lead to prolonged or chronic bronchial disease and pneumonia. Dogs with ITB may require treatment
with antibiotics and cough-suppressant drugs. |
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| How Is the Bordetella bronchiseptica Vaccination Given? |
| Bordetella vaccines are given intranasally (in the nose) or by injection. Newer injectable vaccines can be
given more easily and with little discomfort. |
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| How Is the Bordetella bronchiseptica Infection Diagnosed? |
| Veterinarians usually rely on visible signs of disease, specifically the characteristic honking or gagging cough.
A positive response to antibiotic treatment is also an indication of Bordetella infection. In addition, veterinarians may conduct laboratory
tests, including bacterial culture, to aid in the diagnosis. |
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