What Is Kennel Cough?
If your dog suddenly develops a loud, dry, hacking cough, kennel cough may be the culprit.
Kennel cough is a common name for a group of contagious respiratory infections in dogs, often referred to as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC). Several different bacteria and viruses can contribute to the illness, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus, and others.
These infections cause inflammation and irritation within the respiratory tract, resulting in that characteristic cough.
Kennel cough spreads easily anywhere dogs gather or have close contact with one another, including boarding facilities, daycare, grooming salons, training classes, dog parks, veterinary facilities, shelters, and even multi-dog households.
Dogs can become infected through respiratory droplets released when an infected dog coughs or sneezes, as well as through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces.
While many healthy adult dogs experience relatively mild illness, puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with underlying medical conditions may be at greater risk of complications.
Signs & Symptoms of Kennel Cough
The classic sign is a persistent, dry, hacking or “honking” cough. It can sometimes sound as though your dog has something caught in their throat, and some dogs may gag or retch after coughing.
Other symptoms can include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose or watery eyes
- Mild lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Mild fever
- Gagging or retching after coughing
Some dogs continue to eat, play, and behave completely normally despite having a significant cough.
If your dog begins coughing, keep them separated from other dogs and contact your veterinarian for guidance. Because respiratory illnesses can be highly contagious, please let our team know about your dog's cough before entering the hospital so we can take appropriate precautions to protect our other patients.
Is Every Cough Kennel Cough?
No, and that's one reason we recommend contacting your veterinarian when your dog develops a new or persistent cough.
Several conditions can cause coughing or symptoms that resemble kennel cough, including pneumonia, canine influenza, heart disease, collapsing trachea, heartworm disease, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections.
Your veterinarian will consider your dog's symptoms, vaccination history, recent exposure to other dogs, overall health, and physical examination findings when determining the most likely cause.
Additional testing, such as chest radiographs or respiratory testing, may be recommended in some cases.
How Is Kennel Cough Treated?
Treatment depends on your dog's symptoms and overall health.
Many uncomplicated cases are mild and improve with rest, supportive care, and time. Not every dog with kennel cough requires antibiotics. Because many cases involve viral infections, antibiotics may be recommended only when your veterinarian suspects a bacterial component or secondary bacterial infection.
Depending on your dog's individual case, treatment may include medications to help control coughing or make them more comfortable.
At home, you can also help by keeping activity relatively calm and avoiding anything that puts unnecessary pressure on an irritated throat. Consider using a harness instead of a neck collar while your dog is coughing.
Many dogs improve within a couple of weeks, although the cough can occasionally linger longer even as the dog otherwise feels better.
When Should I Be More Concerned?
Contact your veterinarian if your dog's cough is worsening, isn't improving, or is accompanied by other signs of illness.
Seek prompt veterinary attention if your dog develops difficulty breathing, significant lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite, a high or persistent fever, or thick nasal discharge. These symptoms can indicate a more serious respiratory infection or complication such as pneumonia.
Puppies, senior pets, and dogs with underlying health conditions should also be monitored particularly closely.
Can Kennel Cough Be Prevented?
While there is no vaccine that can protect against every possible cause of canine respiratory disease, vaccination can help reduce the risk and severity of certain infections.
The Bordetella vaccine is commonly recommended for dogs that regularly interact with other dogs or visit places such as boarding facilities, daycare, grooming salons, training classes, or dog parks.
Your veterinarian can recommend the appropriate vaccines and schedule based on your dog's age, lifestyle, health, and individual risk factors.
It's also important to remember that vaccinated dogs can still occasionally develop respiratory infections. However, vaccination remains an important tool for helping protect dogs—especially those with frequent exposure to other pets.
We're Here When Your Pet Needs Us
Hearing your dog suddenly develop a harsh cough can certainly be concerning, but fortunately, most uncomplicated cases of kennel cough resolve with appropriate care and a little time.
If your dog is coughing or showing other signs of respiratory illness, give Markham Woods Animal Hospital a call. Our team can help determine the best next step and make sure your pet receives the care they need. 407-682-5298