Kennel Cough - One of the Less Serious Dog Illnesses?
While kennel cough may seem like one of the less serious dog illnesses, it can lead to more acute conditions if neglected.
The disease, also known as canine flu, is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that may be caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria, most commonly the Bordetella Bronchiseptica bacteria.
Many dog illnesses such as canine distemper, parainfluenza and canine adenovirus may also make dogs more susceptible to contracting the bordetella bacteria.
The disease gets its name from the fact that it easily spreads among dogs living in close quarters, such as those confined in kennels or animal shelters.
Dogs contract kennel cough when they inhale disease-causing bacteria into their respiratory tract.
While normally mucus in the respiratory tract traps infectious particles, their normal defenses against disease may be weakened due to factors such as cold temperatures, stress and exposure to dust and cigarette smoke.
Other methods of transmission include direct contact with infected dogs and contaminated surfaces.
The disease remains highly contagious even weeks after the symptoms have disappeared.
The main symptom of kennel cough is a persistent hacking cough that can sound like retching or gagging and may be accompanied by coughing up a white frothy substance.
But the dog will commonly not display any other symptoms such as lassitude or fever and usually engages in its normal activities.
However, exertion could cause the cough to get worse and the dog may continue to cough day and night.
Symptoms of the disease usually appear three to five days after the dog contracts the virus.
While most dogs with kennel cough will recover within three weeks, older dogs and those that have other health conditions and dog illnesses may take longer.
To minimize the coughing, keep the dog in a well-humidified area and use a harness rather than a lease in order to help minimize the coughing.
But dogs with the disease should still be observed, since there may be some complications resulting from the disease resulting from the dog developing a secondary bacterial infection that leads to pneumonia, with symptoms such as eye and nose discharged, a raised temperature, loss of appetite and lethargy.
Kennel cough may also be a symptom of more serious dog illnesses and health conditions such as periodontal disease, heart disease, parasites, heartworm and allergies.
If the dog fails to improve within the expected time, or has symptoms such as listlessness or heavy breathing, you should contact your vet as soon as possible.
Vaccines for kennel cough can be delivered through injections or nasal mist but they do not guarantee that the dog will not develop the disease and will not cure active infections.
Injected vaccines are given to dogs likely to bite, while the intranasal form is given to dogs housed in kennels and similar environments.
Puppies are initially injected with two doses around four weeks apart then given yearly booster shots, while the intranasal vaccine is given once a year, although it may be applied every six months for dogs that are at high-risk for the disease.
Dogs with the disease may also be given antibiotics to treat bacterial infections and cough suppressants may be used if the dog does not cough up anything.
The disease, also known as canine flu, is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that may be caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria, most commonly the Bordetella Bronchiseptica bacteria.
Many dog illnesses such as canine distemper, parainfluenza and canine adenovirus may also make dogs more susceptible to contracting the bordetella bacteria.
The disease gets its name from the fact that it easily spreads among dogs living in close quarters, such as those confined in kennels or animal shelters.
Dogs contract kennel cough when they inhale disease-causing bacteria into their respiratory tract.
While normally mucus in the respiratory tract traps infectious particles, their normal defenses against disease may be weakened due to factors such as cold temperatures, stress and exposure to dust and cigarette smoke.
Other methods of transmission include direct contact with infected dogs and contaminated surfaces.
The disease remains highly contagious even weeks after the symptoms have disappeared.
The main symptom of kennel cough is a persistent hacking cough that can sound like retching or gagging and may be accompanied by coughing up a white frothy substance.
But the dog will commonly not display any other symptoms such as lassitude or fever and usually engages in its normal activities.
However, exertion could cause the cough to get worse and the dog may continue to cough day and night.
Symptoms of the disease usually appear three to five days after the dog contracts the virus.
While most dogs with kennel cough will recover within three weeks, older dogs and those that have other health conditions and dog illnesses may take longer.
To minimize the coughing, keep the dog in a well-humidified area and use a harness rather than a lease in order to help minimize the coughing.
But dogs with the disease should still be observed, since there may be some complications resulting from the disease resulting from the dog developing a secondary bacterial infection that leads to pneumonia, with symptoms such as eye and nose discharged, a raised temperature, loss of appetite and lethargy.
Kennel cough may also be a symptom of more serious dog illnesses and health conditions such as periodontal disease, heart disease, parasites, heartworm and allergies.
If the dog fails to improve within the expected time, or has symptoms such as listlessness or heavy breathing, you should contact your vet as soon as possible.
Vaccines for kennel cough can be delivered through injections or nasal mist but they do not guarantee that the dog will not develop the disease and will not cure active infections.
Injected vaccines are given to dogs likely to bite, while the intranasal form is given to dogs housed in kennels and similar environments.
Puppies are initially injected with two doses around four weeks apart then given yearly booster shots, while the intranasal vaccine is given once a year, although it may be applied every six months for dogs that are at high-risk for the disease.
Dogs with the disease may also be given antibiotics to treat bacterial infections and cough suppressants may be used if the dog does not cough up anything.
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