The City of Edmonds is alerting dog owners that there has been a confirmed case of kennel cough at the city’s off-leash dog park on the Edmonds waterfront.

Kennel cough, an upper respiratory infection affecting dogs, is so named because the infection can spread quickly among dogs in close quarters — whether that be a kennel, animal shelter or dog park. Symptoms can include a harsh, dry cough, retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging or vomiting in response to light pressing of the trachea or after excitement or exercise.

At this time the off-leash dog park, located just south of Edmonds’ Marina Beach Park, “is open and welcoming,” said Carrie Hite, Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, but dog owners are asked to take precautions. “If your dog has been ill, or showing any signs of sickness, please keep your dog at home and seek veterinary care,” she said. “Kennel cough is highly contagious and dangerous, especially to young dogs and puppies.”

The City of Edmonds and Off Leash Area Edmonds, the non-profit group that runs the dog park, will be monitoring the situation closely, Hite said.