Kennel cough (canine infectious tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious respiratory ailment in dogs. Kennel cough is most usually contracted by dogs in settings where there are a lot of them, such as boarding and daycare facilities, dog parks, training groups, and dog shows.
It’s critical to know how to care for your dog if he or she has kennel cough. Upper respiratory infections can become severe if left untreated, especially in dogs with other health issues.Kennel cough is contracted by dogs when they are exposed to diseased dogs or contaminated materials. Kennel cough is caused by a variety of viral and bacterial causes, including:
- Parainfluenza virus in dogs
- Adenovirus type 2 in dogs
- Virus of canine influenza
- Bordetella bronchiectasis is a bacteria that causes bronchitis.
- Species of mycoplasma
Infectious droplets move through the air as dogs cough, infecting other canines nearby. Direct contact with contaminated objects including as food and drink bowls, toys, beds, and clothing can potentially spread the disease. In places where dogs congregate, such as boarding facilities, doggie daycares, dog parks, and grooming salons, exposure to the disease is widespread.
What are symptoms of kennel cough?
Kennel cough can affect any dog, but puppies and dogs who have not been vaccinated are more susceptible. Kennel cough is characterized by a prolonged, nonproductive cough that sounds like something is stuck in your pet’s throat and they are gagging or clearing it.
It’s been described as a deep honking cough by others. Symptoms appear three to ten days after coming into contact with an infected animal. Animals with kennel cough will act and eat normally otherwise. Exercising or becoming excited can exacerbate symptoms.
Kennel cough symptoms also include:
- A dry, hacking cough that won’t go away
- Coughing that keeps you and your dog awake at night
- With the creation of white foam, retching occurs
The following are examples of severe symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Appetite loss
- Fever
- Breathing that is labored
How contagious kennel cough is in dogs?
kennel cough is a very contagious disease. Kennel cough is so named because it may swiftly spread through a kennel and affect all the dogs. Kennel cough is spread through aerosols generated when a sick animal coughs, direct contact with an infected animal, or exchanging contaminated materials.
Kennel cough spreads quickly in close quarters (like boarding facilities and animal shelters), but it can also spread if a dog meets an infected dog on a walk or drinks from a dirty water bowl at the dog park.
Kennel cough is most contracted by dogs in crowded places with limited airflow and warm, damp air. Kennel cough might appear three to four days after a dog has been exposed to it.
Here are a few examples of these scenarios:
- Shelters for animals
- Kennels for boarding
- Daycare centers for dogs
- Grooming services
- Parks for dogs
How to prevent our pet dogs from getting kennel cough?
Vaccinations against the bacteria Bordetella bronchiectasis and/or the canine parainfluenza virus are available and are especially beneficial in dogs who interact with other dogs often. Vaccinations come in three forms: injectable, intramuscular, and oral. Consult your veterinarian to find out which vaccine is best for your dog.
Even after immunization, dogs can become infected with kennel cough, so it’s vital to keep an eye on your dog, especially if he’s been in touch with other dogs. Do not hesitate to take your dog to the veterinarian if you feel he or she is becoming ill.
Although bordetella is the most common cause of kennel cough, other agents such as bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza virus, canine respiratory coronavirus, and mycoplasmas can also cause the condition, therefore the vaccine may not protect your dog.
There are various actions that may be performed to assist prevent your dog from becoming infected with kennel cough. When you get home from a show, disinfect the crates, bedding, and bowls.
Dogs should not be allowed to have nose-to-nose contact with other dogs or drink from common water sources during shows. Between contacting one dog and another, handlers should wash their hands. There is a vaccine available for dogs who are at high risk of contracting the disease.
The vaccination will not prevent the disease, but it will reduce the severity of the symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. It can also shorten the time it takes for the ill dog to shed the sickness.
Few methods use for treatment of Kennel cough dog to dog
1. Treatment for mild cases
Supportive care, which focuses on relaxation, feeding, and hydration, may be all that is required for moderate instances of kennel cough. To help minimize the frequency of coughing, your dog’s doctor may prescribe a cough suppressant.
A mild case of kennel cough should take a dog one to two weeks to recover from. Some dogs can heal entirely without the need for treatment. If your dog has a mild, lesser form of cird, tests are usually not required. However, in the following conditions, chest x-rays and other testing may be required:
When dogs’ symptoms don’t improve after a few days of oral antibiotics, it’s time to consider surgery.
If your dog is displaying more severe symptoms (e.g., fever, not eating, constantly hacking, or coughing, etc.)
Other ways to treat mild cases.
- Give honey to your dog
- Invest in a humidifier
- Keep your dog hydrated and keep him away from irritants like smoke
- Treat your dog to a steam bath
- Encourage your dog to take it easy
- If your dog has a cough, give him a cough suppressant
2. Give honey to your dog
Honey includes various antioxidants, enzymes, and flavonoids, making it good for dogs with kennel cough. If you offer manuka honey to your dog, it may help him feel better and relieve his problems.
Your dog’s size will determine how much honey you give him.one tablespoon of honey per day is recommended for large dogs, while two tablespoons is recommended for medium dogs. One teaspoon of honey each day is plenty for smaller dogs. If your dog isn’t a fan of honey, try combining it with one of his favorite treats.
3. Invest in a humidifier
A humidifier next to your dog’s bed is another approach to make him feel more at ease. It will moisten the air, which will aid in the relief of your dog’s dry cough.
Keep your dog hydrated and keep him away from irritants like smoke.
It’s especially vital for your dog to drink plenty of water if he has kennel cough. It will help him get rid of the illness faster by flushing out the poisons in his body. If your dog refuses to drink water, give him ice cubes to chew on. Also, to make your dog’s water more tasty, consider adding some chicken broth.
4. Treat your dog to a steam bath
Steam might help relieve your dog’s cough by loosening the mucus in his throat. Allow your dog to accompany you into the bathroom when it’s time for you to shower. Allow him to spend roughly 30 minutes in the restroom. Because the steam may make your dog overheated, have a dish of water nearby for him to drink.
5. Encourage your dog to take it easy
One of the most effective treatments for kennel cough is adequate rest. Your dog’s body will have a better chance of fighting the infection and recovering if he gets enough sleep. Put your dog in a separate room from children and other pets. He won’t be disturbed while attempting to sleep this manner.
6. If your dog has a cough, give him a cough suppressant
If your dog is coughing profusely, a cough suppressant such as robitussin may be beneficial. This medicine is only meant to be used for a brief amount of time and should only be provided with the approval of a veterinarian. Your dog’s robitussin dosage will be determined by a veterinarian.
If you follow these guidelines, you can assist your dog in recovering from kennel cough and regaining his or her health. If your dog’s cough doesn’t go away, you should take him to the veterinarian. Your dog’s condition will be examined by a veterinarian, who may prescribe an antibiotic to cure the cough.
What is the best treatment for severe cases of kennel cough?
Aerosol therapy and bronchodilators may be recommended in more severe cases of kennel cough to open the airways and make breathing easier. Severe cases frequently necessitate weekly visits to the veterinarian until the pet is deemed stable. Any symptoms that worsen or persist should be reported to your veterinarian.
If an animal has pneumonia, he or she may need to be admitted to the hospital. Coup age, a sort of physical therapy that involves pounding the chest with cupped hands, can be used to break up and evacuate pulmonary congestion.
Some patients may require oxygen therapy, which involves adding extra oxygen to the air the dog breaths. It can be done through a nasal tube or in a specific cage that distributes oxygen. This kind of involvement is uncommon and may usually be avoided by taking your pet to the veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms like coughing or sneezing.
After a week if your dog hasn’t recovered. However, certain infectious agents in the kennel cough complex are stronger, and a slight bronchitis can quickly advance to pneumonia, a potentially fatal disease. Antibiotics are commonly provided to kennel cough patients to prevent or treat pneumonia before it necessitates hospitalization.
For obvious reasons, it’s critical to distinguish between a simple case of kennel cough and one aggravated by pneumonia. There will be no fever, appetite loss, or listlessness in the uncomplicated instances. Except for the coughing, they will appear normal. Pneumonia in dogs makes them appear sick.
Top 5 home remedies to treat kennel cough cases
Kennel cough is similar to any cough you could have as a result of the common cold — and it just so happens that the home cures for kennel cough listed below are also effective on people.
Of course, consult your veterinarian before trying any of these kennel cough home cures, and contact him right away if your dog’s kennel cough persists or worsens.
1. Supplement your dog’s diet with probiotics
Probiotics make this list of home remedies for kennel cough because these helpful bacteria perform wonders for the immune system in addition to being great for oral and digestive health. This is crucial when treating kennel cough, which if left untreated can quickly escalate to life-threatening pneumonia.
Make sure to give your dog a probiotic supplement formulated specifically for dogs, such as jarrow’s pet dophilus.if your vet has given antibiotics for your dog (which is a normal veterinary treatment for treating kennel cough), make sure to give the probiotic at least two hours after the antibiotic, or the two will cancel each other out and healing will not occur.
2. Use honey to treat your dog’s cold
Honey’s antibacterial properties are quite amazing, which is why it’s on the list of home cures for kennel cough. I give sick dogs one tablespoon twice a day until their coughs are gone; it also helps with the nasal discharge that kennel cough causes.
Choose a domestic honey that isn’t made in china for optimal benefit, preferably a raw honey like my favorite brand, really raw honey, which comes with a “cap” of pollen, propolis, and honeycomb. This chewy concoction is a hit with dogs, and mine go crazy for it.
3. Coconut oil can be used to treat kennel cough
Coconut oil’s amazing antiviral property is especially helpful as one of the home remedies for kennel cough, which is caused by the bordetella virus. Dogster has previously extolled the virtues of coconut oil for dogs, and its amazing antiviral property is especially helpful as one of the home remedies for kennel cough, which is caused by the bordetella virus. Give two tablespoons twice a day until the cough has gone away.
Spot’s hunger will be suppressed due to her congestion, but a whiff of this oil’s rich, fragrant perfume will make her mouth water once more.
4. Cinnamon can aid in the treatment of kennel cough
Cinnamon is another excellent nutritional supplement for dogs. This pantry staple is safe to sprinkle liberally over your dog’s food bowl at any time of year, but it’s especially effective as a kennel cough home remedy.
Cinnamon, like coconut oil, has antiviral properties, so sprinkle half a teaspoon over spot’s meal. Look for ceylon cinnamon, which has a strong aroma.
Watch Can kennel cough kill a dog | Video
Is it possible for kennel cough to transfer from dog to dog?
What is your dog’s method of obtaining it? Kennel cough is a very contagious disease. Kennel cough is so named because it may swiftly spread through a kennel and affect all of the dogs. Kennel cough is spread through aerosols generated when a sick animal coughs, direct contact with an infected animal, or exchanging contaminated materials.
Is my other dog’s kennel cough contagious?
Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease that affects dogs. If your dog has kennel cough, keep him away from other dogs in the house and out in public, and keep his food and water bowls, bedding, and toys separate as well.
Should i take my dog for a walk if he has kennel cough?
But what if they do become infected? If your dog starts coughing, keep them away from other dogs and only take them on a lead walk to avoid coming into touch with other dogs. Take your pet to the veterinarian right away so they can confirm the situation and prescribe medication.
What is the severity of kennel cough in dogs?
It’s very common, although it’s usually not a serious problem. One of the most common infectious disorders in dogs is infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough). Fortunately, the majority of instances are minor and resolve within one to two weeks on their own.
What’s the quickest way to get rid of kennel cough?
It’s especially vital for your dog to drink plenty of water if he has kennel cough. It will help him get rid of the illness faster by flushing out the poisons in his body. If your dog refuses to drink water, give him ice cubes to chew on.
Conclusion
Kennel cough is so frequent, planning ahead and knowing what to do if your dog coughs can help to reduce the severity of the illness, prevent it from spreading to other dogs, and get your dog back to their favorite activities as quickly as possible.
Most importantly all dogs should get kennel cough boosters once a year.
