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Kennel Cough in Dogs

Kennel Cough


               We’ve been seeing quite a few cases of kennel cough lately so I thought this would be a good time to discuss what kennel cough is and how to protect your dogs. 

               The disease known as kennel cough or infectious tracheobronchitis is actually caused by a combination of several different viruses and bacteria.  One of the more common causes is the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica. Other causes include parainfluenza, adenovirus and herpes virus.

               Kennel cough infection is highly contagious among dogs and is spread by airborne droplets that are aerosolized and inhaled when a dog coughs or sneezes, by direct contact such as dogs going nose to nose or by contact with contaminated surfaces such as water bowls.  Most dogs who contract kennel cough will have mild symptoms that can include a hoarse, dry “honking” cough, sneezing, and sometimes lethargy.  In rare cases, more severe symptoms such as pneumonia can develop.

               Dogs who have contact with many other dogs such as those in shelters, boarding kennels, or dog parks have an increased chance of being exposed and getting sick.  Vaccines are available to help protect your dog if she is in one of these high-risk situations. 

               Patton carries an oral Bordetella vaccine and the viruses are included in our canine distemper vaccine.  Regular vaccination helps reduce the chance of infection, but the different strains mean that the vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing disease.

               Mild cases of kennel cough may not require treatment and will usually resolve within 2-4 weeks.  Sometimes, antibiotics such as doxycycline or clavamox are used to treat the bacterial component.  Occasionally, if cough symptoms are severe, a cough suppressant may also be administered.  It is recommended to isolate infected dogs from other dogs if possible until the symptoms have resolved and, of course, dogs should not be boarded if they have active kennel cough infection.

               It’s a good idea to see your vet if you suspect your dog may have kennel cough as other health problems may cause similar symptoms.  Collapsing trachea, heart disease, and other respiratory infections can all cause coughing but require different treatments.

               Kennel cough is a fairly common infection in dogs, and while it is normally not serious, it is important to have your dog checked by a vet to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

               This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.


https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/kennel-cough-in-dogs#1



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