Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)

Digg

Del.icio.us

Stumble

Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)

By: PetPlace Veterinarians

Pages 1 2 3 4

Section: Veterinary Care In-depth

Therapy In-depth

Treatments for ITB may include one or more of the following:

Because antibiotics can't kill the viruses that are usually responsible for kennel cough, don't expect your veterinarian to automatically prescribe them. Antibiotics are more likely to be used if Bordetella bacterial infection or secondary bacterial infection is suspected; however, there is no "quick test" for this infection.

The mild, uncomplicated patient may be given no medication or only a mild cough suppressant.

Cough suppressants are appropriate when the cough is frequent and debilitating and there is no evidence of pneumonia. An initial injection of butorphanol may help break the cough cycle. Oral administered pills are also available. Stronger medicine codeine-related such as hydrocodone sold as Hycodan or Tussinex) may be needed to break the cough cycle in severe cases.

Over-the-counter medicines such as Robitussin should only be used after speaking to your veterinarian.

In cases of lingering kennel cough, a tracheal washing should be done to culture any offending bacteria. If Bordetella bronchiseptica is found, a powerful antibiotic may be needed (as many routine drugs such as amoxicillin won't usually kill this bacterium). Some of these can only be given by injection. Some powerful and commonly used oral antibiotics (enrofloxacin (Baytril®) or other fluoroquinolone antibiotics) should not be used in rapidly growing puppies. Occasionally, an antibiotic such as gentamicin may be nebulized ("vaporized") in the veterinary hospital.

Very rarely, a brief course of an anti-inflammatory medicine may be needed to quiet a severe cough due to tracheobronchitis; however, these drugs can decrease resistance to secondary bacteria thereby promoting pneumonia.

Pages 1 2 3 4

Printable Version

Digg

Del.icio.us

Stumble

Share this Article with a Friend Email To:

Have a Pet Question?

Review the Most Frequent Questions
Answered by Dr. Jon and His Staff of Veterinarians

Dr. Jon's Newsletter

Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...

Search Over 15,000 articles

1 Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs
Chronic bronchitis is a persistent inflammation of one or more bronchi, which are tubes that pass air to the lungs from the trachea. The cause of chronic bronchitis in most cases is unknown.
Read More
2 Chronic Coughing in Dogs
Coughing, a common protective reflex that clears secretions or foreign matter from the throat, voice box, windpipe or airways, and protects the lungs from aspiration, affects the respiratory system by...
Read More
3 Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is the inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils, which are an important part of the immune system in that they help protect the body from invading bacteria, viruses or other foreign matter....
Read More

Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

Dogs & Puppies

Dog Breeds

labrador retriever, golden retriever, yorkshire terriers, german shepherds, beagle, boxers

Dog Medication

dog allergy medication, dog pain medication, dog anxiety medication, dog flea medication

Dog Products

dog bowls, dog crates, dog toys, dog beds, dog ramps, dog food storage, dog tags

Dog Symptoms

dog vomiting, dog limping, dog diarrhea, dog bad breath, dog coughing, dog seizures

Dog Health

dog cancer, dog diabetes, dog epilepsy, dog hip dysplasia, dog health, sick dog

Dog Care

dog vaccination, dog microchipping, dog grooming, dog neutering, dog spaying, dogs mating

Dog Training

dog aggression, dog barking, dog chewing, dog behavior, dog jumping, dog whisperer

Dog Pictures

puppy pictures, funny dogs, cute dogs, dog breeds, sleeping dogs, silly dogs, small dogs

Cats

Cat Breeds

persian, siamese cats, devon rex, ragdoll cats, sphynx, maine coon cat

Cat Medication

cat flea medication, cat heartworm control, cat tick medications

Cat Products

cat litter box, cat food, cat bed, cat flea collar, cat carrier, cat urine odor

Cat Symptoms

cat vomiting, cat limping, cat diarrhea, cat bad breath, cat coughing

Cat Health

cat health, cat liver cancer, cat diabetes, cat scratch fever, cat aids, sick cat

Cat Care

cat vaccination, cat grooming, cat microchipping, cat neutering, cat spaying

Cat Behavior

cat urine marking, cat furniture scratching, cat litterbox training, cat toilet training, cat fears

Cat Pictures

cute cats, funny cats, playful cats, fat cats, jumping cats, lazy cats, sleeping cats, cute kittens

1Chronic Coughing in Dogs
Coughing, a common protective reflex that clears secretions or foreign matter from the throat, voice box, windpipe or airways, and protects the lungs from aspiration, affects the respiratory system by...
Read More
2Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs
Chronic bronchitis is a persistent inflammation of one or more bronchi, which are tubes that pass air to the lungs from the trachea. The cause of chronic bronchitis in most cases is unknown.
Read More
3Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is the inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils, which are an important part of the immune system in that they help protect the body from invading bacteria, viruses or other foreign matter....
Read More

Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)

Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)

Related Articles

Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

"Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)"

To view the requested article, please register below.

Success! - You Are Now Part of the Petplace Family!