Kennel Cough: Symptoms and Treatment

Kennel cough is a very common illness that, particularly at this time of year, can affect your pet. Would you like to learn more about it and find out how to treat your pet? We’ll tell you all about it!  

What is kennel cough?

Kennel cough is scientifically known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis (CIT) or canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC). It is a syndrome with acute respiratory symptoms, highly contagious and found worldwide, which, if not treated properly, can develop into very serious symptoms. It is usually caused by a combination of bacteria and viruses. The most important are bacterial in origin (Bordetella bronchiseptica) and viral in origin (canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus type 2). However, it is important to bear in mind that there are other secondary viruses and bacteria that may also be involved and cause the infection.  

Kennel Cough: Symptoms

As the name suggests, there is inflammation in the trachea and upper airways, which causes discomfort for our dog. Is your dog sneezing more than usual? Does it seem as though they are choking? Or does it even look as though they are trying to bring something up when they cough? This may be a case of a dog with this illness.

The most common symptoms of kennel cough are:

• Dyspnoea or difficulty breathing.
• Nasal discharge.
• Coughing.
• Sneezing.

Coughing is the most common symptom, along with nasal discharge. It may be noticed when the animal exercises, and it is generally accompanied by intense coughing when pressure is applied to the tracheal area at the veterinary clinic (known as the cough reflex). Sometimes the animal may even vomit a white foamy substance after a severe coughing fit.

It may seem like a minor illness, but be careful, because if it is not treated properly, it can develop into very serious conditions, such as pneumonia or heart problems.

How is it spread? 

So, how is the illness spread? Can kennel cough be passed on to humans? The truth is that it is extremely contagious between dogs, but it cannot be passed from dogs to humans, so it is not a zoonotic disease as in the case of Leishmaniasis in dogs.

The main routes of transmission are airborne, meaning it spreads through the air and/or through food and water. Logically, animals with low immunity are also very prone to this illness, such as puppies, whose immune system is still not fully developed. 

How long does the illness last?

Its incubation period until the first symptoms appear is approximately 3 to 10 days, and once symptoms appear, kennel cough lasts for 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the health of the affected animal and the treatment being followed. In these cases, it may be helpful to rely on the use of products for dogs' immune health.

Kennel Cough: treatment 

Clearly, kennel cough does not go away on its own, but requires treatment, always prescribed by your usual vet after a clinic visit and examination of the animal. Generally, treatment consists of:

• Antibiotics.
• Bronchodilators.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines.
• Cough suppressants.

It is very important to follow your usual vet’s instructions to prevent the illness from worsening, as it can develop into much more serious conditions (including cardiac symptoms).

The recovery period will depend on whether the treatment is followed properly and on how our pet responds. If everything progresses normally, it may take several weeks.  

How can it be prevented? Is there a vaccine for kennel cough? There is, so once our pet has recovered, we recommend vaccinating them as a preventive measure.

Kennel cough vaccine

There are vaccines available, administered parenterally and intranasally. At present, it is not compulsory to give it, but it is true that many boarding kennels ask for it as a preventive measure before allowing our dog to stay at their facilities, since in these places where dogs from different environments gather, it can make transmission easier. 

• Parenteral vaccine: administered by injection in two doses, two weeks apart.
• Intranasal vaccine: given as a single dose, although it is also advisable to wait one week for it to take effect.

Therefore, it is always advisable to vaccinate our pet before leaving them at a boarding kennel, or during times such as autumn and winter, when they are more likely to become infected. It is also recommended for puppies and older dogs with low immunity or who are immunosuppressed. But does the kennel cough vaccine have side effects?

Side effects of the vaccine

The side effects of the kennel cough vaccine in dogs, although not common, may appear within 24-48 hours after the vaccine is given:

• Lethargy.
• Inflammation at the injection site.
• Hypersensitivity reaction: swelling of the eyes, muzzle...
• Critical worsening of respiratory symptoms.

Do not forget to visit your usual vet if you notice any of these symptoms, or if you need to rule out any other possible illness. At Farmaciasdirect, we want to provide you with quality information that may help you; remember that in our pharmaceutical advice you can ask any questions you may have.

Bibliography:

• World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). (2021). Respiratory diseases in dogs: a practical guide for veterinarians.
• Official College of Veterinarians of Spain (COVE). (2020). Guide to the prevention and treatment of kennel cough.
• World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). (2019). Bordetella bronchiseptica: diagnosis and management in companion animals. 
• García, M., and López, R. (2020). Effective treatments for kennel cough in domestic dogs. Ibero-American Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 34(2), 45-52.