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Dog kennel cough is named variously like canine cough, infectious tracheobronchitis and bordetellosis. Both bacteria and viruses have been found to cause dog kennel cough. It is a condition in which a dog's windpipe and upper bronchi are damaged and irritated due to the action of infectious microorganisms.
What is Kennel Cough The lining of the windpipe and bronchi of a dog suffering from dog kennel cough are damaged by a bacterial and/or viral infection, exposing nerve endings which become irritated when air passes over them as the dog breathes in and out. This causes the primary symptom of the illness, a dry, coarse, hacking cough which the dog usually develops within about a week of the initial infection. How Long Does Kennel Cough Last The majority of dog kennel cough cases tend to be mild and aren't detrimental to the dog's overall well being. Typically it does not present a fever or cause loss of appetite; however the cough presents itself throughout the day with the dog coughing every few minutes. Most cases will clear within one to three weeks without using medication, though antibiotics can often speed the healing process. Transmission Of The Disease Dog (bichon frise) kennel cough can be transmitted like a cold in humans. This means that the germs causing kennel cough can be carried in the air, inhaled by another dog causing infection, especially if the recipient dog is susceptible to the microbes. If more than one dog shares a dog kennel the illness spreads among the dogs (this is where the name kennel cough comes from). But it can be acquired anytime and anywhere from an infected dog. Treatment And Prevention Although the majority of dogs recover from kennel cough without treatment, in most cases the irritating cough that one associates with this disease is cured with cough-suppressing drugs, prescribed by a vet. In a few cases, antibiotics may also be prescribed to help dogs recover from the infection. It is important to have the dog examined by a vet because symptoms similar to kennel cough are also caused by other serious respiratory diseases. Vaccinating the dog against infectious organisms may prevent dog kennel cough. A dog that is not frequently in contact with other dogs already has a low chance of catching kennel cough. In case of vaccination, the dog should be given the vaccine at least a few weeks before taking it to a dog show or out in the company of other dogs. |
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