Alert - Kennel Cough in Victoria
Participants are advised of the increase in greyhounds with Kennel Cough within Victoria in the last few weeks. There is no need to be alarmed rather just to be aware. GRSA Stewards and Industry Veterinarian Dr. Doyle are receiving regular updates from counterparts in Victoria and the most recent advice is as follows:
“Symptoms continue to be relatively mild with no obvious clinical signs other than a dry, husky cough that generally lasts for 3-4 days. Not all dogs within a kennel will develop signs, and younger dogs appear more susceptible than older dogs, which may have some immunity from previous infection. The incubation period (period from exposure to development of cough) appears to be about 7-10 days, however signs may develop the day after a race or trial where the greyhound performed below expectations. Most dogs recover without treatment, but you should seek advice from your veterinarian, particularly if signs of more severe infection or illness develop.”
Participants are reminded to be observant particularly after racing in Victoria or taking possession of a Victorian greyhound. If you suspect any of your greyhounds may have Kennel Cough, you must scratch them from any races they are nominated in, do not trial them or take them to other communal training facilities, and withdraw them from GAP intakes. You should also advise Stewards to enable them to monitor any developments. Allowing Kennel Cough cases to spread will impact on all aspects of the industry, including GAP intakes, and so minimising their contact with other greyhounds and ensuring good hygiene/biosecurity practices is vital to limiting spread and impact. Once coughing starts, greyhounds should be isolated from healthy dogs and have around 3 weeks off racing dependent on degree of clinical signs. Healthy greyhounds can continue racing, but if they are kennelled with other greyhounds with Kennel Cough it is strongly advised to take a cautious approach and scratch those greyhounds too, as they may be incubating the disease. You should also advise Stewards to enable them to monitor any developments.