Media reports about outbreaks of infectious respiratory disease in dogs from coast to coast seem to be popping up daily. Dog parks closed. Grooming, boarding, and doggy day care facilities closed. What’s going on?

Stephan Carey, associate professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, recently answered questions about kennel cough and described how the uptick in cases may be best explained by the increased commingling of dogs as COVID restrictions have relaxed and people resumed activities outside the home. He advises that one of the most important things owners can do to keep pets safe is to keep pets’ vaccinations current. Vaccines are available for the most common factors causing kennel cough, but not all.

For the full story, visit the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory website .