Coughing Up the Truth: Everything You Need to Know About Kennel Cough

What is Kennel Cough?

Understanding Kennel Cough in Dogs

Kennel cough also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis or canine infectious respiratory disease (cird), is a highly contagious disease affecting the upper respiratory tract in dogs. Multiple viruses and bacteria can cause kennel cough in dogs. The most common bacterium is bordetella bronchisepta. Other viruses such as the parainfluenza virus, canine influenza virus,  canine adenovirus, canine distemper virus, canine herpes virus, and canine reovirus and  bacteria mycoplasma 

Kennel cough can cause mild symptoms in adult dogs, but older dogs, dogs with weak immune systems, and puppies are likely to be affected severely. Dogs commonly see it in enclosed spaces such as animal shelters, boarding kennels, daycare facilities, and dog parks. 

How Kennel Cough is Transmitted

Kennel cough in dogs spreads through the respiratory secretions of an infected dog. This can be through coughing and sneezing. Dogs can also contract kennel cough from infected objects such as water, food, and shared toys. 

Kennel cough is contagious in close contact dogs because of aerosol transmission of virus and bacteria through secretions from an infected dog and also stress caused by crowded environments, cold temperatures, and poor ventilation 

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Kennel Cough

Common Kennel Cough Symptoms

• Persistent dry, forceful hacking cough often sounds like a goose honk.
• Cough during the night that keeps you and your dog awake 
• Retching: make the sound or movement of vomiting 
• Nasal discharge 
• Eye discharge 
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite 
• Fever and labored breathing
  

What Are the First Signs of Kennel Cough?

Early signs of kennel cough include runny nose, sneezing or eye discharge or mild increase in body temperature. Your dog will likely show a hacking cough which will often sound like your dog has something stuck in their throat.

Kennel Cough Treatment Options

Treatment for Kennel Cough in Dogs

The treatment for kennel cough will depend on your dog and the severity of the condition. In case the infection is mild, kennel cough, treatment may only include supportive care such as nutrition and hydration. Pet parents are not required to hospitalize their dog and the disease is often self-limiting, and antibiotics are usually not required unless there is evidence of pneumonia. 

In case you have an elderly dog or puppies at home, the disease can take a more severe turn with fever, anorexia, purulent nasal discharge, depression, and productive cough indicative of bronchopneumonia. If any of these symptoms persist, bring your dog to the nearest Zigly Experience Center dog. Our vets will examine your dog and will keep them in isolation and start off with antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin-clavulinic acid12-25 mg/kg, po every 12 hours or enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg, po every 24 hours, or doxycycline 5-10 mg/kg, po every 12 hours for 7-14 days. This treatment will be altered depending on the culture and sensitivity tests of specimens collected by tracheal wash or bronchoscopy. If the cough will still is persistent doctor will change the dosage to butarohanol at 0.5 mg/kg, po every 6-12hrs or hydrocodone at 0.22 mg/kg,po every 6-12 hours or both as needed can be used. 

Kennel Cough Home Treatment and Remedies

At Zigly, we advise all pet parents to follow these guidelines as home remedies and treatment for kennel cough: 

• Isolate your dog from other pets at the first sign of infection 
• Provide an adequate ventilated space for your dog during recovery 
• Do not put a neck collar as it will help calm the irritated throat 
• Give them prescribed cough suppressants and antibiotics for symptomatic relief 
• Use nebulizers for ease of breathing in respiratory distress 
• Give one teaspoon of honey orally four times a day. This will help make coughing less hoarse and provide a coating for the dog's throat which makes coughing a little less uncomfortable.

Preventing Kennel Cough in Dogs

I. Kennel Cough Vaccine and Its Importance

Some of the infections that can cause kennel cough are included in dog primary vaccinations against distemper, parainfluenza, and CAV-2 which also protects against CAV-1. An initial vaccination should be given at 6-8 weeks of age and repeated twice at 3-4 week intervals until the dog is 14-16 weeks old. Revaccination should be performed annually. 

But the most common bacteria present in kennel cough is bordetella bronchiseptica, which can be given as a separate vaccine – through nasal drops or injection. however, as there are many strains of the infection, it cannot guarantee protection – but at the very least should lessen symptoms. Vaccination is not useful in dogs already incubating kennel cough.

II. Bordetella Vaccine for Kennel Cough

A common cause of kennel cough is Bordetella bronchisepta organism so vaccination against this bacteria is recommended for all dogs. This freeze-dried vaccine containing live bordetella bronchiseptica strain b-c2 and live canine parainfluenza virus strain cornell for active immunization against these viruses is available for intranasal use resulting in the prevention of kennel cough.

III. When to Get the Kennel Cough Shot

Pet parents should get the first dose of the kennel cough vaccine for their dog at 6-8 weeks age. Post that they should get this vaccination done annually without fail. Pet parents can easily get this done at Zigly Experience Center

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kennel Cough

1. What Should I Do if My Dog Has Kennel Cough?

Kennel's 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. In both these life stages, you should immediately bring your dog to Zigly Experience Center and let a vet examine it. 

In most cases, dogs will recover from kennel cough without treatment within three weeks, but it can sometimes linger for anything up to six weeks. To aid recovery, make sure your home is well-ventilated and avoid using a collar and lead, as any pulling might aggravate the windpipe further – a harness is a better option on walks. 

should treatment be given, antibiotics can kill the Bordetella bacteria – the most common present in kennel cough cases. 

Cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories can also be given to make your pet a bit more comfortable as they make a natural recovery. These medications should only be given as per prescription from a vet. You can bring your dog to the nearest Zigly Experience center for the same. 

2. How Effective Is the Kennel Cough Vaccine?

There are many different strains of kennel cough—as there are common colds in humans—so your dog can catch the infection multiple times. However, if your dog has contracted the bordetella bronchiseptica strain, it will typically be immune to reinfection for six to 12 months.

3. Can Kennel Cough Be Treated at Home?

 If your dog is active with mild symptoms and no respiratory distress, in that case, kennel cough can be managed at home with cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories and also with the use of humidifiers. But you will be required to speak to a vet for the right cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories for your dog. Alternatively, you can also include honey in your dog’s diet as its anti-bacterial nature helps soothe the symptoms of kennel cough.

4. How long does it take for a kennel cough to resolve?

Kennel cough without treatment with mild symptoms will resolve within three weeks but sometimes linger for anything up to six weeks. With treatment with Zigly vets and based on the severity of the infection, recovery will take 2 – 4 weeks. The recovery time is dependent on a case-to-case basis hence it’s best advised to bring your dog to Zigly Experience Center and speak with your vet for an accurate timeline and treatment. 

5. Is the Bordetella vaccine necessary for all dogs?

Yes necessary for all dogs to prevent kennel cough. Brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, english bulldogs, pekingese, and french bull dog are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine. These breeds are more likely to struggle with recovering from respiratory diseases with their compromised airways and can benefit from a stronger immune response that the vaccine provides.