Fergus Veterinary Hospital

“KENNEL COUGH” ISN’T JUST A KENNEL PROBLEM! 🐾

Kennel Cough, also known as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) spreads easily anywhere dogs socialize, including dog parks, daycare, grooming facilities, training classes, and boarding kennels.

💉 The Bordetella-Parainfluenza vaccine helps protect your fur baby against two of the most common components of CIRDC, reducing the risk and severity of illness.

Common signs of CIRDC include:
• Dry, hacking cough
• Gagging or retching
• Sneezing or nasal discharge
• Reduced energy and appetite

While many dogs recover without intervention, or with supportive care, some can develop more serious respiratory infections, leading to pneumonia, particularly puppies, senior dogs, and those with underlying health concerns.

Vaccination is one of the best ways to help protect your dog and reduce the spread of respiratory illness within our canine community.

📞 Contact us to ensure your dog is up to date on their Bordetella-Parainfluenza vaccination and ready for their next adventure!

DON’T OVERLOOK THIS VACCINE! Protect Your Fur Baby from Leptospirosis 🐾

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial infection that can affect both dogs and people. It’s spread through contact with contaminated water, soil, or wildlife urine - meaning even dogs that don’t swim or hike can still be exposed through puddles, backyards, parks, and urban environments.

Why vaccinate?
• Helps protect against a potentially life-threatening disease that can cause kidney and liver failure
• Helps decrease the risk of transmission to people (it’s a zoonotic disease!)
• Safe and effective prevention as part of your dog’s routine wellness care

Leptospirosis is no longer considered just a “rural” disease - cases are seen in both urban and rural dogs, especially in Ontario where wildlife exposure is common.

Vaccination is one of the best ways to keep your pup protected while they enjoy all their favourite adventures! 🐕

📞 Ask us if the Leptospirosis vaccine is recommended for your fur baby.

🦟 Heartworm Prevention: Why Protection Matters in Centre Wellington

Many pet owners are surprised to learn that heartworm is a real concern in Ontario. While heartworm remains far more prevalent in many parts of the United States, cases do occur here and the risk is evolving.

Why?

🌎 Climate change is extending mosquito activity and allowing heartworm transmission to move further north.

🐾 Importation of dogs from heartworm-endemic regions can increase our local reservoir when infected dogs arrive undiagnosed, increasing exposure risk for Ontario dogs.

The Canadian Heartworm Society recommends:

• Seasonal prevention for our Ontario dogs, from June through November, with administration extending one month before and one month after mosquito season to ensure protection during the full transmission window.
• Annual heartworm testing
• Veterinary-guided prevention plans based on travel and lifestyle

The good news? Heartworm disease is preventable!

Monthly prevention is simple, safe, and far easier than treating heartworm infection - which can be lengthy, costly, and hard on your fur baby’s body.

At Fergus Veterinary Hospital, we can help determine the best heartworm prevention schedule for your pet.

📞 Contact us to ensure your dog is protected this mosquito season.