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Kennel Cough in Dogs

How Do Dogs Get Kennel Cough?

You might think your dog has something stuck in their throat. The cough associated with acute infectious tracheobronchitis (or kennel cough) is a high-pitched, honk-like cough, sometimes followed by retching.

Kennel cough is a highly contagious inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tree caused by a contagious virus (adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, canine distemper virus) or bacterium (Bordetella bronchiseptica). The disease is associated most often with dogs housed in a high-density population or boarding kennel. Infectious agents can be transmitted through the air or by contact with contaminated surfaces. Puppies and younger dogs are at greatest risk, but even old dogs can acquire kennel cough.

The incubation period from the time the dog first contracts the infection to the time that symptoms develop is typically between 3 to 10 days, and the symptoms can last for days to weeks. A mild to moderate cough without other symptoms is usually self-limiting; however, occasional cases become lingering and cause chronic bronchitis.

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Kennel Cough Symptoms in Dogs

Kennel cough causes a variety of symptoms that can vary in severity.

Any of these signs should prompt a visit to see your veterinarian in order to be certain pneumonia has not set in.

Diagnosis of Infectious Tracheobronchitis in Dogs

A complete medical history will usually reveal recent exposure to a kennel or other dogs. Windpipe sensitivity is present in most cases. Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize kennel cough and exclude other diseases. These tests may include:

Kennel Cough Treatment for Dogs

Therapy is controversial because the disease is usually self-limiting (like a human cold) and, if a viral infection is suspected, antibiotics can’t kill the virus. This is especially true in mild, uncomplicated cases where treatment is supportive, not unlike that given to a person with a bad cold. Treatments for kennel cough may include one or more of the following:

Home Care

Preventative Care

Vaccinations provide protection against kennel cough in most dogs. However, like all vaccinations, protection is not 100 percent guaranteed, and some dogs will contract kennel cough despite vaccination.