by Ashley Demers
Article intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Always listen to the advice of your trusted veterinarian.
It's baa-aack! Welcome to "Kennel Cough" season 2019-2020. It's everywhere dogs can go. You can't run. You can't hide.... totally kidding! It's preventable and most dogs will go their whole lives without ever catching it.
Signs & Symptoms
If you've ever had your dog come down with the hacking, honking cough that kennel cough brings, you know how unpleasant it is for them. It's an unrelenting, forceful, honking cough. It sounds different from a typical cough made by dogs, and sounds much different from reverse sneezing. A cough from kennel cough will sound much deeper.
Dogs with kennel cough may show other symptoms, including but not limited to:
- coughing up mucus - sneezing - a runny nose with thick, sometimes yellow mucus - eye discharge
Sometimes dogs with kennel cough can have their cough elicited by rubbing their trachea firmly (yet gently!) a few times in a downward motion. If they show symptoms when you do this, it might be a sign.
If a dog has kennel cough, (s)he usually will continue to eat and drink normally, and maintain fairly normal energy levels. If they don't, update your vet as to their symptoms ASAP.
How It's Spread
Kennel cough is often caused by bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica m, or just Bordatella for short. Some dogs that fall ill with Bordatella may also already have a virus at the same time.
These viruses, including canine adenovirus, canine distemper virus, canine herpes virus, canine parainfluenza virus and canine reovirus, make dogs more susceptible to catching Bordatella. This is why maintaining your vet recommended vaccine schedule (or making sure your dog has sufficient antibodies showing in a titer test) is imperative as part of prevention.
Kennel cough is spread by airborne bacteria or virus particles are inhaled into a dog's respiratory tract. This tract is normally lined with a healthy coating of mucus that "traps" infectious agents. But many of the aforementioned things can weaken this protection, and make dogs more susceptible to kennel cough.
Other risk factors can include:
-Colder temperatures
-Exposure to very dry air, dust, and/or second hand smoke
-Spending time in crowded and/or poorly ventilated conditions (i.e. shelters, some boarding facilities) -Visiting anywhere lots of dogs go (i.e. dog parks)
-Stress induced by travel or other life changes
Given the very contagious nature of kennel cough, if you think your dog could have it, isolate them from other dogs and call your vet right away. If you have been exposed to dogs you think could have kennel cough and have pets at risk at home, wash your hands very well before returning. Try not bring your shoes inside your house, and change your clothes before going home if at all possible.
Treatment & Recovery
In a healthy dog, kennel cough can resolve without treatment. However, certain medications can speed recovery or minimize symptoms as the infection runs its course. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics that target Bordetella bacterium, and possibly cough suppressants.
Using a humidifier around your dog can also speed healing and ease their cough. Avoid adding essential oils as they may be too strong for your dogs, or cause adverse effects. You can even let them hang out in the bathroom while you shower, humidifying the room. Try to avoid the use of a collar (switching instead to a harness if possible) until your dog is well.
Recovery usually takes about three weeks, although for very young or old dogs or dogs with auto immune conditions it can take as long as six weeks or more. Continue to follow up with your vet over the course of your dog's recovery and let them know how things are progressing.
If at any time your dog has symptoms such as rapid breathing, refusing food, or listlessness, contact your vet immediately, as these could be signs of more serious conditions such as pneumonia.
An Ounce Of Prevention
There are three types of kennel cough vaccines: intranasal, oral, and injection. The first two forms of the vaccine tend to work to provide dogs protection against kennel cough sooner than the injection. Kennel cough vaccinations are typically given to dogs once a year, but sometimes are recommended every six months for dogs at higher risk of exposure. Dogs and puppies should ideally receive an intranasal vaccine at least one week prior to visiting high risk environments, after this they are protected for one year.
There is absolutely no vaccine that provides 100% protection from all possible causes of kennel cough. Although these vaccines do help a great deal, they do not guarantee protection against kennel cough because it can be caused by so many different kinds of bacteria and ever changing viruses. No form of the vaccine can actively treat infections. However, vaccination still provides more protection from infection, and vaccinated dogs are expected to develop much milder symptoms if they do become sick.
Overall if you have a healthy, vaccinated dog- don't be too worried about kennel cough this winter. There's really nothing to fear if you're armed with prevention and knowledge!
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