Kennel cough is a wide term that is frequently used to describe any infectious or contagious illness in dogs in which coughing is a key clinical symptom. Infectious tracheobronchitis is another name for it. Tracheobronchitis refers to an infection that occurs in the trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tubes. Several viruses and bacteria can cause kennel cough, and this happens often. Adenovirus type-2, parainfluenza virus, canine coronavirus, and the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica are among them. Because the virus spreads when dogs are confined together, it is frequently observed shortly after dogs have spent time in kennels, thus the term kennel cough. Because kennel cough can be caused by a number of diseases, it is commonly referred to as the canine infectious respiratory disease complex.
What are the clinical signs of Kennel Cough?
Clinical symptoms might vary. The condition is usually minor, although the cough can be persistent and linger for several weeks. A harsh cough, commonly described as a “goose honk,” runny eyes and nose, enlarged tonsils, wheezing, loss of appetite, and sad behaviour are all common clinical indications. Coughing is common in dogs with infected tracheobronchitis when the throat is touched or palpated, as well as during and after activity.
**Most dogs with infectious tracheobronchitis will cough when the throat is rubbed or palpated or during and after exercise.
How does a dog get Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough is very infectious, and dogs can easily spread it through casual contact, such as sniffing each other while walking, playing, or sharing water bowls. Stress, low temperatures, dust or smoke exposure, and crowded situations all enhance your dog’s chances of acquiring kennel cough.
Diagnosis of Kennel Cough
- History and clinical signs
- Radiography
Kennel cough should be considered if the distinctive cough appears abruptly 5-10 days after exposure to other susceptible or infected dogs. The severity of the condition normally decreases after the first 5 days, although it might last for 10-20 days. Tracheal trauma caused by intubation might result in a similar but less severe condition. Thoracic radiographs are required to assess disease severity and rule out alternative causes of cough. Thoracic radiographs are frequently normal in dogs with simply a cough. If the condition has advanced to pneumonia, dogs may show signs of alveolar disease. To determine the aetiology of the clinical symptoms, nasopharyngeal or tracheal swabs may be obtained for PCR testing.
How is Kennel Cough treated?
Although there is no specific treatment for viral infections, bacterial involvement, particularly Bordetella bronchiseptica, is responsible for many of the more severe symptoms. This bacterium can be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline and amoxicillin. Other effective medicines include enrofloxacin and azithromycin, however they are less routinely used because to concerns about antibiotic resistance.
Some infections require prolonged treatment, but most clear up within one to three weeks. Mild clinical symptoms might linger for several weeks after the bacteria have been removed. Cough suppressants and anti-inflammatory medications may provide temporary relief, although they are not always necessary. Your veterinarian will decide the best treatment choices for your dog.
Prevention
A kennel cough vaccination is available to protect dogs from the bacteria bordetella, which is the most prevalent cause of kennel cough. Dogs that are often boarded, go to dog daycare, participate in dog sports, or are otherwise exposed to large groups of dogs may benefit from the immunisation.
Proof of immunisation is required by many training, boarding and nursery establishments. The vaccine is available in oral, intranasal, and injectable forms, and it is normally given in two doses two to four weeks apart, followed by a booster every six months to a year, depending on the type.
Although bordetella causes the majority of kennel cough cases, some are caused by other agents such as the bacterium bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza virus, canine respiratory coronavirus, and mycoplasma. As a result, the vaccination may not protect your dog from kennel cough on its own.
How effective are the vaccines?
Even if the dog has had a natural illness, immunity is not firm nor long-lasting. Vaccines are unlikely to do much better. Because immunity varies depending on the situation, visit your veterinarian for precise vaccination recommendations for your dog. Some kennel facilities demand a booster vaccination before to boarding, and some veterinarians prescribe one every six months to offer optimal protection against this dangerous virus.
How are the Bordetella vaccines administered?
Bordetella vaccine is administered through injection, oral administration, or intra-nasal administration. The liquid vaccination delivered as nose drops is known as intra-nasal. The oral vaccination is injected into the cheek pouch directly. This enables for the development of local immunity on the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and windpipe, where infectious agents initially assault, and gives faster protection against infection than the injectable vaccination.
