What exactly is kennel cough?
Kennel cough – you may have heard this term in connection with serious dog illnesses, especially when it comes to animal welfare abroad.
Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract, which is mainly characterized by coughing, sniffling, retching, →vomiting and →fever . The disease is caused by various viruses and bacteria. The two main pathogens of kennel cough in dogs are parainfluenza (viruses) and bordetella (bacteria).
Symptoms of kennel cough in dogs
The symptoms are usually quite clear and similar to the flu:
harsh, barking, sometimes spasmodic cough (possibly not constant, but only under exertion)
Mucus discharge when coughing (possible sign of pneumonia)
gag reflex
breathing difficulties
runny nose
conjunctivitis with purulent, watery eyes
loss of appetite
low stamina
in severe cases: fever, inflammation of the throat, tonsils, bronchi, trachea
Watery discharge, runny nose, sneezing, coughing – the symptoms of kennel cough are similar to those of the flu.
Cause of kennel cough in dogs
The cause of the disease is viruses and bacteria. The most common pathogens are the canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV), the canine herpes virus (CHV), the canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) and the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica.
However, sometimes non-infectious factors can also trigger the disease. These include, for example, poor hygiene, very high or low temperatures, high humidity, physical and/or psychological stress, malnutrition, immune deficiency as well as untreated worm infestations – all conditions that often apply to rescued →animals from animal welfare cases.
Dogs often become infected with viruses first, which colonize the bronchi and damage the airways. This makes it easy for bacteria or fungi to cause a so-called secondary infection.
A →healthy and balanced diet as well as sufficient exercise and species-appropriate activity form the foundation for your dog's health and can, in the event of illness, prevent severe courses.
Our dog food: healthy, honest, delicious.
How can my dog get infected?
Through what is known as a droplet infection, dogs can very easily catch kennel cough. This means the disease is transmitted by coughing, sneezing, or mutual sniffing. However, the pathogens also stick to objects such as dog toys, bowls, beds etc. and can be transmitted that way.
Consequently, the risk of infection is especially high where many dogs come together such as in a dog boarding facility, on the training ground or at the dog school. Dogs that are housed in animal shelters or come from international animal welfare usually live with many dogs in a confined space. Here, too, there is an increased risk of infection.
Note that the disease can also be transmitted to other animals, such as cats living in the household be. If your dog has contracted kennel cough, he is only considered non-contagious seven days after the last symptom. Until then, he can still spread the pathogens and should not have contact with other pets.
Where many dogs come together and live in close quarters, they can catch kennel cough more easily.
Examinations & diagnosis for kennel cough
If you notice any of the above symptoms and suspect your pet might be ill, you should definitely visit a veterinary clinic. There, the trachea of your dog will be examined to make sure he hasn't swallowed anything that's causing the severe gagging and coughing. You will also likely be asked if your dog has recently been in contact with other dogs, stayed in a boarding facility or comes from an animal shelter. All these are important facts that the veterinarians need to know in order to make a diagnosis.
To find out which pathogen is causing the kennel cough, a throat swab and a saliva test are performed. This allows the appropriate antibiotic to be prescribed. In more severe cases involving pneumonia or suspected heart disease, an X-ray of the lungs and heart may also be taken as well as a blood test performed.
Vaccinations & more:
How often do I need to take my dog to the vet?
How is kennel cough treated?
Depending on your dog's condition, age, and the severity of the illness, kennel cough usually subsides with the administration of medication after a few weeks again. Depending on the symptoms, cough suppressants, immune boosters, expectorants, or fever-reducing medications are prescribed.
If the disease is accompanied by a bacterial infection, the administration of antibiotics may also be useful. Even a →worm infestation such as with giardia further weakens your dog's immune system and must be treated with appropriate antiparasitics .
Some veterinarians also prescribe remedies to strengthen the immune system. Our delicious snacks like the liver pâté are perfect for delivering medication to your dog in a tasty way!
Little tip: Coughing can irritate the throat and larynx and cause pain when swallowing. If you notice this in your dog, you should soak the dry food in warm water or feed wet food until the symptoms subside. It's very important not to forget that kennel cough is a highly contagious disease! So if your pet is sick, he should by no means play with his four-legged friends – until he is fully recovered.
What is the "serious" part about kennel cough?
Cough, runny nose, fever – at first, it just sounds like a nasty flu. But kennel cough is different. Due to the compromised immune system and damaged mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, secondary bacterial infections are common. In severe cases, the dog has a hard time fully recovering from the disease and suffers recurring bouts of kennel cough several times a year.
In some dogs, complications such as pneumonia or tonsillitis can also occur. If the affected dog is very young or has a weakened immune system, for example due to a worm infestation, this can further complicate the course of the disease. If kennel cough is left untreated in such cases, the disease can, in the worst case, be fatal.
But don't panic! This respiratory disease is usually not that dramatic. Still, we very much hope your dog is spared from it. If your pet does show symptoms like coughing, you can support him with some of our products and strengthen the immune system boost like our →Immune Boost Soft Bites. Our →cough syrup also naturally supports your dog's respiratory function with a valuable blend of herbs that can support the body's own defenses and is soothing for the throat and pharynx.
Vaccination against kennel cough for prevention
To prevent your dog from catching kennel cough in the first place, there is a vaccination that is administered as a preventive measure. This can be especially useful if you are exposed to a higher risk of infection, for example through club sports, dog shows, regular visits to dog parks, if your dog goes to a boarding facility or daycare or anywhere else where many dogs regularly meet in a confined space.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against all pathogens of kennel cough and the vaccination does not provide 100 percent protection. However, it reduces the symptoms and protects against a severe course. There are two vaccines against kennel cough:
A combination vaccine, which, in addition to parvovirus, hepatitis, and distemper, also works against the parainfluenza virus (one of the pathogens of kennel cough).
A vaccine against parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (also a pathogen of kennel cough).
It's best to discuss with your veterinarian, which of the vaccinations make sense for your dog.
There is a vaccination for the prevention of kennel cough, but there is no one hundred percent protection.
A vaccination against kennel cough usually protects against the main causes of kennel cough and lasts for 12 months. It should therefore be refreshed annually . You can also decide to get vaccinated at short notice, for example before a risk situation such as a boarding facility, dog school, exhibition, breeder meeting, or similar.
Note that your dog can still get infected with kennel cough despite being vaccinated infected can. Due to the development of new virus strains, a vaccination cannot guarantee one hundred percent protection, but it does reduce the risk of infection significantly.
