Each year, the summer months typically bring an increase in cases of kennel cough within the greyhound population. Over recent months, GBGB has seen a rise in cases of this respiratory infection in greyhound kennels across the UK.

Kennel cough is airborne and highly contagious, spreading easily within kennel environments. While it usually doesn’t cause serious illness, in rare cases, it can develop into a more severe pneumonia, which can be fatal. It is vital that everyone in the sport supports a joint effort to prevent its spread.

Coughing greyhounds must not be raced, trialled, or exercised hard, and so it is crucial to quickly identify and isolate any greyhounds showing even the slightest signs of kennel cough.

Isolation and Quarantine are Key

The best way to control the spread of kennel cough is to isolate any known cases. This means keeping coughing greyhounds well away from healthy greyhounds for a minimum of three weeks.

It can take up to three weeks for the cough to clear, and it is advised that 10-14 days be allowed after the coughing has stopped before starting fast exercise.

If a greyhound has any of the symptoms of kennel cough — a hacking, dry cough, sneezing, or runny nose — immediately isolate them from any healthy, asymptomatic greyhounds. You must not transport them to the racecourse and risk spreading the infection further.

By isolating any coughing greyhounds in a separate kennel block with a separate air space from asymptomatic greyhounds, you should be able to halt the spread to the entire kennel. If you cannot isolate the coughing greyhounds, the entire kennel should be isolated for the three-week period. Isolation means a separate airspace.

All new entrants to a kennel should be quarantined for a minimum of seven days and not presented at a racecourse during this time.

In any event where a greyhound develops a fever or becomes listless — even if they are not actively coughing — this is an emergency and veterinary attention must be sought immediately as these greyhounds can deteriorate very quickly.

Prevention is Essential

Good biosecurity is essential – your Regional Regulatory Vet can help with appropriate advice. Each trainer should regularly review their kennel’s biosecurity plan and ensure that the basics — handwashing, appropriate cleaning and disinfection — are being carried out consistently by all staff members. If you have kennel cough within an isolated block in your kennel, make sure there is no cross-contamination of equipment (e.g. food bowls, grooming equipment, cleaning equipment) and ideally, have separate equipment for each block.

Vaccination

Some of the pathogens that can cause kennel cough may be included in your greyhound’s vaccinations and annual boosters (e.g. Canine Parainfluenza). A separate ‘kennel cough’ vaccine can also be given — via nasal drops or an injection — which can offer enhanced protection.

As there are various pathogens that can cause kennel cough, neither of the two vaccines provide full protection; however, the separate kennel cough vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of infection and its severity. Trainers should consider giving kennel cough vaccination to their greyhounds as a preventative measure typically in the spring, which can be administered at the same time as the annual booster if necessary.

In the event of an outbreak of kennel cough, the trainer should speak to their veterinary surgeon about administering the intra-nasal kennel cough vaccine, as there is evidence to suggest that the intra-nasal vaccine (given as drops into the dog’s nose) can slow outbreaks and provide rapid protection.

At the Racecourse

Racecourses have been instructed to remain extra vigilant for cases of kennel cough during the summer months and implement heightened biosecurity measures.

If a coughing greyhound is presented for kennelling, it must be immediately returned to the vehicle. All the trainer’s runners present in that vehicle should also be withdrawn from racing (including dogs travelling for mark-ups) and returned to the residential kennels where they should be isolated for three weeks. If the trainer is unable to suitably isolate all the greyhounds in the vehicle, then it is advised that the whole kennel should isolate for three weeks.

Support is Available

GBGB understands the challenges an outbreak of kennel cough presents. If your kennel is impacted, please contact your Stipendiary Steward for guidance, including potential eligibility for financial support from the GBGB’s Hardship Fund.

Your proactive compliance with these measures is vital to protect the health of our national racing greyhound population.

Further detailed information is available in the GBGB Kennel Cough Isolation Protocol, downloadable from the GBGB Portals. For queries about kennel cough, appropriate biosecurity and isolation, contact your veterinary surgeon or GBGB Regional Regulatory Vet.