I have had many people ask about risk factors at the dog parks. The number one concern is always other dogs who behave badly.
Next we are concerned about contagious diseases, for example kennel cough which is a tracheobronchitis, much like our coughs and colds. This is a risk for dogs going to dog parks, groomers, or boarding kennels. We can protect them from the Bordatella form of kennel cough through annual nasal vaccines.
Another issue that I have been thinking about lately is Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is carried by rats, racoons, cattle, sheep and goats, among other mammals. The transmission is through urine contamination, most commonly in standing water. Since there is often standing water and multiple creatures in and about dog parks, I would suggest Leptospirosis vaccine on a yearly basis, for those dogs visiting dog parks.
