Kennel Cough: What every pet parent should know
As dog owners, we must agree that retching, coughing, and sneezing is a significant cause of concern. Notably, Kennel cough is credited as being responsible for causing the cough attacks in dogs even when the pets are healthy.
Understanding Kennel Cough
Kennel Cough, also identified as infectious tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious dog disease that affects the canine’s upper respiratory. Research attributes a group of specific bacteria and viruses as the responsible causative agents known to be accountable for the Kennel Cough complex. These agents include.
- Canine Adenovirus
The Canine Adenovirus is a highly contagious virus that principally characterizes itself through bronchitis and bronchiolitis. In extremely infectious cases, Canine Adenovirus can lead to the pet’s pneumonia.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
A pathogen associated with respiratory diseases such as infectious bronchitis and whooping cough in dogs. The bacterium is also known to infect rabbits, cats and in some rare cases, even humans.
- Canine Influenza Virus
This highly infectious virus is known to spread through nasal secretions, contaminated dog items (collars, bowls) and direct contact with infected canines.
Symptoms and treatment
The first pointer to Kennel Cough would probably be a dry, hacking cough that produces no fluid. Extremely developed symptoms of Kennel Cough would see the dog cough up white foamy phlegm during the gagging. Some dogs would also exhibit fever, snorting and nasal discharge.
On matters treatment, Kennel Cough remains similar to the common cold. If left untreated, the Kennel Cough condition is known to run its course in 10 to 21 days, depending on the dog’s immunity.
However, the coughing can progress past these three weeks for young puppies, sick animals, and geriatric dogs. Such a scenario will need any responsible pet parent to make a trip to the veterinarian. The vet would recommend treating the Kennel cough with antibiotics and vaccines. Some of the prescribed round of medicines to help treat Kennel Cough include Baytril, Clavamox, and Doxycycline.
What next?
Areas such as dog shelters, rescue centers, pet stores or doggie daycare are conducive environments that spread Kennel Cough between animals. Visiting dog parks, engaging with other dogs or living with multiple pets is also another way Kennel Cough could become prevalent in a place. Take caution to ensure whenever taking your dog around these places. Frequent visits could lead expose your canine friend to a Kennel Cough infection that can grow into a serious health issue.
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