An illness found in dogs commonly caught in kennels, kennel cough case numbers could rise this year after the pandemic kept many dogs home.

"People are traveling a lot more, even more than they were in 2020," said Dr. Tom Reeping, Veterinarian with Crago Veterinary Clinic. "We're probably seeing a little bit more than what we usually do. Not because of a new strain but because of a new lifestyle."

With the pandemic on the way out and families starting to vacation again, Dr. Reeping said it's best to vaccinate your dog if you plan to send them to the kennel.

"A lot of kennels will not even allow your animal to be kenneled without having the vaccine," Reeping said. "I've see a lot of people caught off guard with that. It's not considered a core vaccine but a lot of kennels are requiring it for travel."

"Most of the vaccine's available, whether it's injectable, oral or inter-nasal, they're all very effective in preventing kennel cough," Reeping said. 

Reeping said to pay attention to your dog's bark. If it sounds like a dry, car honking noise, they may have kennel cough.

"Even if they have been vaccinated, it's probably not a bad idea to get them evaluated," Reeping said. "I haven't really seen a new strain because the one's that we are seeing now seem to be responding very well to the normal antibiotics that we use."

Reeping said these current rates are comparable to 2019, a similar rate to pre-pandemic levels.