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Kennel Cough
Prevention
What is kennel cough
and how is it spread?
Kennel cough is a collection
of highly contagious infectious
diseases that attack the
respiratory tract of dogs, with
Bordetella bronchiseptica and
Canine Parainfluenza Virus
being the main culprits. Dogs
contract kennel cough by
coming into direct contact
with an aerosol of respiratory
secretions from infected dogs.
Dogs develop clinical signs
usually 3-4 days after they
have become exposed to
infected dogs.
Kennel cough is commonly
spread in dogs that are
confined in high- density
facilities with poor ventilation
e.g. boarding kennels, animal
shelters, pet shops. Although
they can contract it from any
close contact with another dog
- not necessarily in a kennel
environment. These bugs can
also be transmitted onto cages,
toys, food and water bowls.
Clinical Signs
The clinical signs to look out
for are forceful coughing, an
inflammed trachea/ laryngitis,
sneezing, and a clear nasal
discharge. More severe cases
may develop inappetance,
lethargy, fever, a moist
productive cough and
pneumonia. If you suspect that
your dog may have contracted
kennel cough you must keep it
away from other dogs and
contact your vet. Most cases of
kennel cough are self-limiting.
By
Chantal Serra BVSc, MRCVS
Ardene House Vets
Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis
However, if symptoms persist
your vet may treat with oral
antibiotics, anti- inflammatories
and anti-tussives.
Prevention
The best way to prevent kennel
cough would be to vaccinate your
dog annually with an intranasal
vaccine. The vaccine, however
cannot guarantee full protection
due to the mixed population of
bacteria and viruses that cause
infection but it does reduce the
severity. Most kennels would
require your dog to be vaccinated
against kennel cough before you
put them into kennels.
Can people contract
kennel cough?
Immunocompromised people
and young children whose
immune systems have not
developed fully can contract
kennel cough. Infection in
healthy people is highly unlikely
even after prolonged exposure.
Does your dog have a dry honking cough followed by gagging or retching? You
may think he is choking on something but he could in fact have kennel cough.