ARE you planning a last minute holiday before the end of the year and need to put your dog in kennels? If so, then have you protected it against canine infectious tracheobronchitis (otherwise known as kennel cough)?

Animal health company, Intervet UK, is urging people to ensure their pets are vaccinated against this highly contagious disease. Kennel cough, likened to whooping cough in children, is an unpleasant disease and the most obvious symptom is a severe hacking cough which may be accompanied by retching. In young puppies, such an infection could lead to fatal pneumonia.

"Whenever dogs get together they are at risk from canine infectious tracheobronchitis, whether in boarding kennels, at a training class or simply sitting in the vet's waiting room," explains Gaynor Hillier from Intervet. "This disease can spread like wildfire and last for up to six weeks. It is extremely unpleasant for the dog."

Protection is vital, however, in the past, vaccinating against this disease has not been easy. In most cases vaccine has needed to be administered by the vet in both of the dog's nostrils -- not an easy task at the best of times.

Now there's an easier way to protect your dog against canine infectious tracheobronchitis.

Nobivac KC is a new intranasal vaccine that can be gently trickled into just one of the dog's nostrils. Your dog will be immune from kennel cough within just 72 hours! But remember, if you're taking your dog to the kennels, make sure you vaccinate at least two weeks before your pet enters the kennel environment.