The Cloverleaf dog track in Loveland will close today because of an outbreak of kennel cough among its greyhounds.
“Just about every kennel racing here has some sickness,” said John Manning, general manager of the Cloverleaf Kennel Club that owns the track.
“As a precaution, most of the kennels are taking their dogs off the active list or scratching them because if they race with this sickness, it makes it worse,” Manning said. “We’re running short of greyhounds right now.”
Since last Thursday, the virus has forced 100 dogs to be scratched from Cloverleaf races. About 20 kennels from northern Colorado and Denver are affiliated with the track.
Some of the greyhounds that fell ill last week have recovered, but the outbreak continues to spread, Manning said.
“It takes about three days to run its course,” he said.
Cloverleaf plans to hold doubleheaders Friday and Saturday but may be closed Sunday as a result of the virus, Manning said.
Veterinarians can administer a Bordetella vaccine, given nasally. That helps protect dogs but can’t completely prevent kennel cough.
“It’s a virus,” Manning said. “It’s like the flu in a human. You can medicate it, make it better and make it go away a little faster. But really there’s not much you can do because its an airborne illness and very, very contagious. When one kennel comes down with it, they all get it.”
This month, dog tracks in Houston, Kansas City, Mo., and St. Petersburg, Fla., have suffered similar outbreaks. Kennel cough usually is not fatal and often clears up without treatment.
Bill Briggs can be reached at 303-820-1720 or bbriggs@denverpost.com.
