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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The name "kennel cough" can be misleading.

The infection regularly occurs twice a year during early spring and late summer in the North, and not just in kennels, said Dr. Tom Pisz, owner of Great Slave Animal Hospital.

Dr. Tom Pisz, owner of Great Slave Animal Hospital, holds one puppy set for the examination table. Fortunately this pet does not have kennel cough. To curb transfer of the infection, those dogs with it are asked to wait outside the examination room. - Lauren McKeon/NNSL photo

Because the infection spreads easily - like when dogs are housed together - it's often seen soon after dogs have been in kennels, hence the name. However, dog owners should be aware the infection, which can be likened to the human flu, is airborne and highly contagious.

This means dogs can get kennel cough simply from sniffing one another, or even from sniffing the urine of an infected dog.

Pisz is not exactly sure why this is the case - only that the infection occurs like clockwork every year.

"It's pretty common. We can get up to 10 dogs a day" during those times, the veterinarian said, noting it's very rare to see cases at other times of the year.

It's important for dog owners to watch out for more symptoms than the infamous cough, Pisz advised. Sneezing, gagging, lack of appetite and runny eyes and nose are also associated with the ailment.

The onset of these symptoms is sudden, added Pisz. He also noted owners should watch out for one tell-tale behaviour.

"Dogs will eat grass like crazy," said Pisz. "They'll even eat rocks."

He explained infected dogs do so to scratch their irritated throats.

As for kennel outbreaks, said Pisz, that's more of a concern in the south.

Joanne Cooper, head of Yellowknife's Borealis Kennels, said the infection is a rare sight.

"Through our kennel we see very, very little (kennel cough)," she said.

"We probably see more cases of kennel cough through dogs that come in through grooming than we do in our actual kennel," she added, noting those dogs are rescheduled.

While kennel cough is not deadly - most infections clear up on their own within 10 days - it can take a bad turn if owners don't prevent their pets from consuming anything foreign.

Owners can vaccinate their dogs against kennel cough, said Pisz, adding it's not 100 per cent guaranteed. Likewise, dogs can be prescribed antibiotics but one of the best ways to treat the animal is to give it cough syrup with codeine, like Benelyn, he said.

The main message to send, said Pisz, is: "If you see the symptoms, don't panic. It looks worse than it is."