Kennel cough
Kennel Cough: The Highly Contagious “Canine Common Cold”
Considered one of the few canine diseases that can spread through a community like wildfire, kennel cough is a real pain in the neck—both figuratively and literally for your dog. Known officially within the veterinary community as infectious canine tracheobronchitis, it manifests as a severe inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tubes.
The most tell-tale sign of kennel cough is a persistent, forceful, and dry cough that often sounds like a “honking goose.” This is frequently accompanied by a runny nose, sneezing, and retching. If a dog suffers from particularly severe tracheal irritation, the violent coughing fits may even cause them to gag and vomit white, foamy phlegm.
What Causes Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough is not caused by a single bug; rather, it is a complex respiratory syndrome that can be triggered by a variety of viral and bacterial infections, often working together.
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The Viral Culprits: Common viral triggers include the Canine Parainfluenza virus and Canine Adenovirus type 2.
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The Bacterial Culprits: Bacterial infections are typically caused by Mycoplasma or Bordetella bronchiseptica. In fact, Bordetella is considered the “poster boy” of this disease, as it is the most common agent responsible for the illness.
The types of infections that give rise to kennel cough are generally divided into two categories based on severity:
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Uncomplicated (Mild) Infections: Typically characterized by Bordetella and Parainfluenza. These give rise to the milder, most common form of kennel cough. The dog usually remains active and eats well, despite the annoying cough.
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Complicated (Severe) Infections: This is a much more dangerous scenario involving a varied pool of aggressive microorganisms, such as the Canine Distemper virus or Canine Adenovirus. This can lead to lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and even life-threatening pneumonia.
The Danger of Shedding Depending on whether the infection is viral or bacterial, you must be careful about how long an infected dog is kept in isolation. Viral infections usually continue shedding (spreading) for about one week after the dog’s symptoms disappear. On the other hand, a dog with a Bordetella infection can continue shedding the bacteria for several weeks after complete recovery. To complicate matters, Bordetella bronchiseptica is frequently found in dogs considered to be clinically healthy; recent statistics estimate that approximately half of the global dog population are silent carriers of this pathogen.
Prevention: Protecting Your Pup
It is every pet parent’s nightmare to go on holiday thinking their dog is safe in a boarding facility, only to return and find them coughing and wheezing.
The disease earns its name because it thrives in highly populated, enclosed spaces like kennels, dog parks, and grooming salons. Professional boarding facilities must keep their environments meticulously clean, ensuring high-grade ventilation and regularly disinfecting kennels. However, because the pathogens are highly airborne and can be transmitted through simple nose-to-nose contact or shared water bowls, it remains incredibly difficult to prevent an outbreak once a carrier enters the facility.
Vaccination Strategies Pet owners should ensure their dogs are up to date on relevant vaccinations. The Bordetella vaccine can be administered via traditional parenteral injections, orally, or intranasally (squirted into the nose). If a dog is at an immediate, high risk of being infected (such as entering a boarding facility within a few days), the intranasal or oral methods are often preferred due to their rapid, localized immune response.
Keep in mind that while vaccinations offer excellent protection against severe illness, a vaccinated dog can still catch a mild case of kennel cough, much like a human can still catch the flu after a flu shot.
Treatment and Home Care
If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, an immediate trip to the veterinary clinic is highly recommended.
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Targeted Medication: It is imperative that antibiotics are only used when the disease is bacterial in nature or if there is a risk of a secondary bacterial infection. Your vet will determine if antibiotics are necessary. If the cough is dry, painful, and non-productive, the vet may also prescribe specialized canine cough suppressants to help your dog rest.
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Switch to a Harness: At home, temporarily swap your dog’s collar for a body harness. Pulling on a standard collar puts direct pressure on the inflamed trachea, which can trigger agonizing coughing fits.
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Air Quality: Keep your home well-ventilated and avoid smoking or spraying aerosols near your dog. Using a humidifier near their bed can also help soothe their irritated airways.
The Bottom Line
In healthy adult dogs, kennel cough is usually a self-limiting condition that resolves on its own and rarely puts your pet’s life at risk. However, if left untreated in puppies, senior dogs, or immunocompromised pets, the condition can quickly snowball into serious secondary infections, such as fatal pneumonia. It is always wise not to underestimate this ailment and to nip it in the bud, ensuring a longer, healthier, and much more comfortable life for your dog.
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