The common cold is often spread this time of year among humans, but a local veterinarian says an illness affecting canines is also circulating in the community.

Dr. Maggie Brown Bury says there’s been an uptick in cases of a respiratory illness commonly known as kennel cough.

She says the spike is not uncommon and can be picked up through the dog’s mouth and nose.

The illness in canines will present itself similar to the way a cold would appear to humans. Common mild symptoms include cough, runny eyes and nose, and fever

She says often times, infected dogs will not require a trip to the vet as symptoms will resolve on their own, but owners will have to watch out for the potential development into pneumonia.

Signs of something more serious include goopy, yellow discharge from the eyes or nose and a decrease in appetite. Dogs may also develop a wheeze or crackle in their cough, something Brown Bury says veterinarians will be able to identify and treat accordingly.