Kennel Cough In Dogs
by: Kirsten Hawkins
The condition
commonly known as “Kennel Cough” is one of
the most prevalent infectious diseases that
dogs can contract. The disease is not
serious in most cases, however, and often
resolves itself after one to two weeks. The
accepted medical term for kennel cough is
tracheobronchitis, indicating a form of
bronchitis that affects the dog’s trachea.
Kennel cough
can be caused by several airborne bacteria
and viruses. It is generally accepted that
most cases of kennel cough are caused by the
bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica but it
has also been associated with the canine
distemper virus (CDV) and canine
parainfluenza. It is the general consensus
of the veterinary medical community that in
order to cause the illness, an animal must
be virtually bombarded by multiple versions
of these pathogens at one time. For this
reason it is dogs that spend a lot of time
around other dogs that are most at risk for
the disease. Dogs that participate in dog
shows or spend a lot of time in kennels are
the highest risks for kennel cough.
The primary
symptom of kennel cough is a dry, spasmodic
cough which is caused by the inflammation of
the dog’s trachea and bronchi. Coughing
spells will often result in the dog coughing
up a white and foamy discharge. Some dogs
will also develop conjunctivitis – an
inflammation of the membrane that lines the
eyelids. Nasal discharge may also be
present. In effect, the dog appears to have
a very nasty cold or flu. As stated above,
the disease is rarely serious and almost
never life-threatening. Still, if you have
seen any of these symptoms or have reason to
believe that your dog has or has been
exposed to kennel cough, you should consult
your vet immediately.
Your vet will
be able to diagnose kennel cough with a
physical examination and medical history.
The cough associated with the ailment is
very characteristic and a simple massage of
the dog’s throat can usually cause it to
cough on cue. In some cases, such as if the
dog is depressed or feverish or expelling a
yellow or green discharge, the doctor may
require additional diagnostic tests such as
a complete blood count (CBC) and laboratory
testing of microorganisms in the dog’s
airway. These tests will help the doctor
rule out other infectious diseases such as
influenza, pneumonia, or canine distemper.
Immunization
can help prevent kennel cough and is
recommended. When kenneling your dog or
traveling it may be required before your dog
will be admitted. Effective immunization can
be difficult, however, because the disease
can be caused by so many different
pathogens. Active prevention on your part
can be accomplished by not allowing your
dog’s toys or water and food bowls to be
accessed by unfamiliar dogs. If
participating in dog shows make sure that
the area is well ventilated to assist with
the expulsion of airborne pathogens.
Kennel cough
is treated with antibiotics in most cases.
Antibiotics will help prevent any secondary
illnesses from developing while the dog gets
over its case of kennel cough.
