Kennel cough is, in fact, quite a misleading term for a complex mixture of both viral and bacterial infections that cause inflammation of the upper airway (windpipe and voice box) in dogs. Its medical name is infectious tracheobronchitis and symptoms are not too dissimilar to throat and chest colds in humans (different pathogens are at play though). Kennel cough can clear on its own, but it is highly contagious to other dogs and it can cause a lot of discomfort. It is the rapid spread of the condition in kennels that led to its more common name.
What Are The Symptoms and Signs Of Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough has a very characteristic persistent dry cough that has a “honking” sound. Fever, phlegm production and nasal discharge can occur, but these symptoms are less common.
In most cases, dogs are otherwise healthy with a normal appetite and energy levels the same as usual. The cough worsens when your pet exercises, pulls against the collar, or goes outside in cold weather.
The video above and below will help you identify the characteristic cough.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has Kennel Cough?
Key Point: If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, you should separate them from other dogs straight away and call your veterinarian. Your vet may need to make additional provisions at the clinic to see your dog without exposing others. Kennel cough is highly contagious to other dogs.
Kennel cough spreads from dog to dog, through aerosols in the air and contact with germ-contaminated objects such as shared water bowls and food dishes. Enclosed air spaces such as boarding kennels, shelters, veterinary clinics, training classes and dog groomers are NO-GO zones if your dog has kennel cough.
How Is Kennel Cough Prevented?
Kennel cough can easily be prevented by not allowing exposure to infected dogs.
Vaccinations do exist for several of the infectious agents (parainfluenza, adenovirus-2 and bordetella). Your vet will recommend whether vaccination is a good idea. Some boarding kennels insist on vaccination to reduce the risk of an outbreak.
Treatment Options For Kennel Cough
It is best to see your veterinarian if your dog develops a cough, as there can be other causes. We recommend calling first to seek advice, as it is not always a great idea to bring infected dogs to the clinic because of the risk of an outbreak. Cough-suppressants or antibiotics are sometimes prescribed. In some cases, your veterinarian may simply advise rest and recuperation at home.
Some home treatment advice and tips:
- Dogs with kennel cough should be isolated from other dogs. If you have a multi-dog household and one sick dog, it is not so important to isolate from the other dogs in the house, as they will already have been exposed.
- Humidifiers can provide some relief; a cheap alternative is to allow your dog into the bathroom while you shower, as the steam soothes irritated airways.
- Avoid any exposure to cigarette smoke, as this will further irritate your dog’s airways.
- Consider buying a harness, as this cannot pull on the neck and trigger coughing.
- Give your dog lots of water, food, TLC and allow them to rest.
Kennel cough generally disappears in two to three weeks, but may last longer in younger, older, or immunocompromised dogs. Make sure you notify your veterinarian if no improvement is seen in the first week of treatment or if your dog's condition worsens.