Is your dog coughing? Could it be kennel cough? Read some information about the disease and consider an exam by a veterinarian to rule out other possibilities.
Kennel cough is otherwise known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis. The clinical sign we typically see is a dry, harsh, hacking cough. Most owners that bring their coughing dogs in to see me will say "something is stuck in my dog's throat," or "my dog is choking on something." Other clinical signs we can see involve fever, loss of appetite, sometimes vomiting if they are coughing enough to stimulate the gag reflex, and lethargy. The cough can be followed by a gag or swallow and often, dogs can cough up a frothy, foamy mucus. This is not vomiting, but rather a productive cough. On occasion, the coughing is so bad that dogs can't even rest at night to recover from this disease. If an infection is severe, it can develop into the lower airways and cause a pneumonia.
So, how does your dog get infected?
This is an air borne disease that is usually seen in spots that many dogs frequent and interact. A dog that has the infection will shed the bacteral and/or virus in their respiratory tract, which is then aerosolized and breathed in by healthy dogs. Most dogs get infected when they are housed in close contact with other dogs in high risk areas. Examples would be boarding kennels, shelters, dog classes, dog parks, grooming facilities and hospitals. This disease has a bacterial and viral component. The throat normally tries to clear infectious agent and mucus with mucociliary bodies. These throat cells move mucus with ciliary projections. These ciliary bodies become paralyzed, so to speak, by this disease. As a result, mucus gets "stuck" in the throat and dogs develop a thick, harsh cough, attempting to move mucus and debris. That is where the harsh cough comes from. Dogs that are at higher risk for disease include those with more exposure, puppies, geriatric dogs and immunosuppressed dogs, or dogs with other underlying conditions.
THE INCUBATION PERIOD IS 2 TO 14 DAYS - meaning your dog could take up to 2-3 weeks for signs to develop.
How do we know this is kennel cough and not something else?
Kennel cough is a diagnosis of rule-outs. That means there is no definitive test for Kennel cough. Plainly speaking, it means that lots of tests are needed to rule out other possibilities before we can rule in Kennel cough. X-rays (or radiographs) can help rule out pneumonia or other complicating lung disease. Blood work may also be helpful in eliminating other differentials. History of exposure to other dogs can also make Kennel cough more likely, along with underlying clinical signs. Simple exam can help differentiate other possibilities as well and if Kennel cough is suspected, simple trial treatment can be performed as we evaluate them for response.
How do we treat it?
We treat the bacterial component of Kennel cough with antibiotics, directly killing the Bordetella organism.The cough itself can be treated with cough suppressants to provide comfort.Anti-inflammatory medications are recommended if they have a fever. Supportive care should be provided for the viral component, including rest and encouraged water and food consumption. If they are not improving in the next few days, other disease or progressive pneumonia should be considered. Pneumonia is a very serious condition and should be treated aggressively.
Is there a vaccine?
Yes, however, keep in mind that not all members of the kennel cough complex have a vaccine. The Bordetella vaccine is not a very efficacious vaccine. This means that dogs exposed to Kennel cough may still become infected, however the clinical signs and symptoms may not be as severe. This vaccine should be boosted every 6-9 months to be effective. Two doses should be given (approximately 3-4 weeks apart) the first time and then every 6-9 months after that.
VACCINATION IS NOT USEFUL IN A DOG ALREADY INCUBATING KENNEL COUGH.
Also keep in mind that for protective efficacy, the last vaccine should be given at least 5 days prior to exposure (at a kennel or dog park).
My dog does not like to drink water very much. I need some suggestions to get her to drink more. She will eat ice cubes that I put in the water. I thought it might get her to drink the water too but it does not.
Annie is a small Border Collie who came from rescue. The people in rescue thought she was about one year of age but my vet believes she is about three years of age based on the condition of her teeth.
She seems to be in excellent health and eats extremely well and urinates okay. She has never been interested in drinking water even on hot days. I used to add water to her food to make sure she gets enough water but I stopped doing it after a while. She drinks a little from time to time but does not seem comfortable and usually chokes or gags a little when she does drink some. She eats a homemade diet of meat and grains and vegetables and vitamins and supplements. The only other thing to mention is that she usually only has one bowel movement a day and the stool is pretty small although it looks nice and firm and full of bulk. She will pick ice cubes out of the water and eat them but does not drink much water even though I encourage her to do so. Someone suggested a pet water fountain but they are pretty expensive and I don't know if that is the answer either. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me.
i am writing you about my upstairs neighbors dog,hes been coughing alot,non stop.she just called me and said hes not breathing that good,and she doesnt have the money to run him to an emergencyvet.i told her i think hes got heartmurmer.same symptoms my moms dog had,hes really old.i hope someone can replyback to me.so that i can let her know something thank you
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Questions Answered By:
Dr. Lauryn Spohn, DVM
