Common clinical signs include a loud cough, often described as a 'goose honk', runny eyes and nose, swollen tonsils, wheezing, lack of appetite, and depressed behavior. Most dogs with infectious tracheobronchitis will cough when the throat is rubbed or palpated or during and after exercise.
Canine Influenza can sometimes be mistaken for kennel cough. If you are not sure which your dog has, check with a vet.
Canine cough, also known as kennel cough, is an infectious disease that affects the respiratory system. This condition is the result of several highly infectious diseases which can be easily spread wherever dogs congregate and socialise such as dog shows, boarding kennels, and obedience classes.
Symptoms of kennel cough usually take 3-5 days to develop after exposure. The classic honking, hacking cough which is often followed by a big retch at the end, lasts for one to two weeks in an average case.
Common clinical signs include a loud cough, often described as a 'goose honk', runny eyes and nose, swollen tonsils, wheezing, lack of appetite, and depressed behavior. Most dogs with infectious tracheobronchitis will cough when the throat is rubbed or palpated or during and after exercise.
Kennel cough is rarely severe, and uncomplicated kennel cough will usually go away on its own. However, medications are commonly given to help your dog recover quicker and prevent the condition from worsening. If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, take them to the vet for an examination.
Adequate rest is one of the best remedies for kennel cough. If your dog gets plenty of sleep, it will give his body a chance to fight the virus and recover properly. Put your dog in a room by himself, away from kids and other pets. This way, he will not be disturbed while trying to rest.
As soon as you notice your dog coughing, you should start your isolation period, keeping them away from other dogs, and avoiding walks altogether to help curb the spread. Lots of rest will help with your dog get better quickly.
The first few days are the worst. The cough will often be triggered by things like barking, pulling on the lead, getting excited or going out in cold air. Symptoms generally resolve over about 7–10 days. To prevent spread, try to keep your dog isolated from other dogs while he has active symptoms.
Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough. It usually goes away on its own but may cause problems for puppies or elderly dogs. Contact your vet if symptoms persist for more than seven days.
The bacteria or virus is then released into the air each time an animal coughs, producing a source of infection for other animals. As a result, any dog with a suspected respiratory infection should be kept away from other dogs for at least one week after all symptoms have completely resolved.
Kennel Cough is the most likely cause of your dog's cough. It's usually a dry, hacking cough that sounds almost like your dog has something stuck in their throat. Kennel Cough is highly contagious, dogs are most likely to get it when they're around other dogs.
Add Honey to Warm Water
Honey can be a great home remedy for kennel cough as it can help soothe your dog's throat and minimize coughing. You can give your dog 1/2 tablespoon to 1 tablespoon of honey mixed with a little warm water in a bowl.
Many milder cases of Kennel Cough can be treated at home with herbs and homeopathics, under the guidance of a holistic veterinarian. A trip to the vet may be necessary for persistent cases lasting more than a couple of weeks, or where the dog becomes weak with a loss of appetite or any other signs of discomfort.
Most vaccines against this bacteria do not actually prevent infection, but significantly reduce symptoms and shedding of the bacteria. Therefore, it is possible that your dog can contract kennel cough even when vaccinated.
Is kennel cough dangerous or life-threatening? While a nuisance, kennel cough is not normally dangerous and is likely to need no treatment at all. But in puppies, elderly dogs or those with existing illnesses, the condition can be more serious and can develop into pneumonia.
Some dogs will be able to fight off the disease without medical intervention. However, if left untreated, the disease has the potential to develop into something worse, such as pneumonia. It is always the safest bet to have the dog treated by a vet as soon as possible.
Kennel cough is usually mild. Your dog may continue with normal activities; the disease will generally run its course and improve within a few weeks. More severe cases could last longer and should be treated by your family veterinarian.
It's caused by being exposed to a very common bacteria, Bordetella bronchispetica, or an equally common parainfluenza virus. It can occur in both adult dogs and puppies. Unfortunately, many people think only dogs that spend time in a kennel can catch it. Wrong, dog folks.
Kennel cough is spread by aerosols (tiny water droplets in a dog's cough or sneeze). However, this means that other forms of transmission, not requiring direct dog to dog contact, are also possible. Kennel cough can also be spread through contaminated surfaces (like sharing toys, food and drinking bowls).
“If your dog seems to be worse in the early morning, late night or when excited, see your veterinarian,” Werber recommends. “Most cases clear up within six to 10 days. But severe cases can progress to pneumonia and be life threatening.” “Most cases clear up within six to 10 days.
As Kennel Cough is highly contagious to other dogs, it is advised that you keep your dog away from other dogs for around two weeks, but this can vary depending on the severity of the infection.
Kennel cough is usually mild and self-limiting, but sometimes it can cause more severe illness. If you've had a dog with kennel cough, you've heard the sound: a dry hack often followed by retching or gagging. Some people describe it as sounding like a cat hacking up a hairball.