Questions and Answers
October, 1998
This is in response to a question sent in to the website in
July. The reader’s female Labrador Retriever had recently
been at a boarding kennel. She had received her annual Kennel
Cough nasal vaccine in May. The owner was concerned because she
had started sneezing since being picked up from the kennel.
She feels warm to the touch, lays around all day and hasn’t
eaten for 2 days. The most recent signs was a lameness on one
leg. She seems most sensitive to touch the joint nearest her paw.
Dear Reader,
By the time I received your correspondence, your dog had probably
improved on her own or had received veterinary attention. I hope
she is doing well by the time this is published, but we can use
this opportunity to discuss some of your concerns. The clinical
signs you mentioned are varied and may not all be due to the same
disease process. Sneezing can be caused by upper respiratory
infection as well as other problems in the nasal cavity such as a
growth or a foreign body. The intranasal vaccine you mentioned
help protect against infection with Canine Parainfluenza Virus as
well as the bacteria Bordetella Bronchiseptica. Both of these
agents, and others, have been to cause Kennel Cough (SPO Feb.
98). They may also be able to cause upper respiratory signs, such
as sneezing and discharges.
The lameness may be an unrelated condition. If she is an older
dog, she may have arthritis. If it’s a hind leg and not
actually near the paw, as you suspect, then hip dysplasia would
be a concern, because Labrador Retrievers are prone to this
disease. Infectious causes of joint pain, such as Lyme Disease,
are more rare and not likely to be contracted while at a boarding
kennel. Perhaps she paces excessively when kenneled, due to
nervousness. This could lead to some soreness, especially with
pre-existing arthritis.
The greatest concern may be the more vauge signs you
mentioned-lethargy and poor appetite. If she wasn’t drinking
at all, she would become dehydrated in a day or two, and this
would only complicate diagnosis and treatment. These general
signs unfortunately are not very helpful in determining the cause
of her illness. She may have felt bad enough from joint pain or
from respiratory disease to make her stop eating. If she actually
had a fever, then I would suspect infection, as you did, but the
most appropriate tests and treatment would still depend on the
results of a physical exam and more detailed information. If
possible, I would appreciate a follow-up report on your dog’s
treatment and condition.