What is "Kennel Cough"? Trachea-bronchitis, or "kennel cough" is a contagious, upper-respiratory disease which is spread by an airborne virus.  The main symptom is a gagging cough which lasts anywhere from a few days to several weeks.   Although this coughing is very annoying, it does not usually develop into anything more serious.  However, just as with the common cold, it can progress into pneumonia, and so it must be treated to avoid complications. Does "Kennel Cough" occur only in kennels? NO.  Since these virus can be  present anywhere, and can travel for considerable distances through the air, it can affect any dog...even one which never leaves its own back yard. Perhaps the greatest public relations problem for boarding kennels today is caused by this disease.  As a dog owner, you should be aware of the facts about this disease. What is Parvovirus? Parvovirus is a viral disease of dogs. It affects puppies much more frequently than it affects adult dogs. The virus likes to grow in rapidly dividing cells. The intestinal lining has the biggest concentration of rapidly dividing cells in a puppy's body. The virus attacks and kills these cells, causing diarrhea (often bloody), depression and suppression of white blood cells -- which come from another group of rapidly dividing cells. In very young puppies it can infect the heart muscle and lead to "sudden" death. How do I prevent the spread of Parvo? The surest way to avoid parvo infection in your dog is to adhere to the recommended vaccination schedule which begins when puppies are 6-8 weeks of age. Puppies should not be allowed to socialize with other dogs or frequent areas where other dogs have been until 2 weeks after they have had their last vaccination. Immunization for parvo is usually included in your dog's distemper vaccine. This shot gives protection against several potentially fatal canine diseases all at the same time. When can I drop-off or pick-up my pet(s)? Check out time  is between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. and 12 noon on Saturday. Pick-up after check-out time will result in additional (daycare) charges. You may drop-off your pet(s) at the following times: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.