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Kennel Cough In Dogs
from: Kyle BesserKennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in dogs. Fortunately, the majority of kennel cough cases are not serious and resolve on their own in 1 to 2 weeks. Because some dogs do develop life-threatening complications, it is wise to take precautions to prevent your dog from becoming infected with this highly contagious dog disease.
Kennel cough can be caused by a number of different airborne bacteria, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, and viruses, such as canine parainfluenza, or a mycoplasma, which is an organism somewhere between a virus and a bacteria. Typically, more than one of these disease causing agents must bombard the dog at once to trigger illness. This is most likely to occur when a dog spends time in close quarters with other dogs. Dogs that attend dog shows, travel frequently, stay at kennels or go to a groomer have a higher risk of developing kennel cough than dogs that stay at home most of the time.
The primary sign of kennel cough is a dry sounding, spasmodic cough caused by pathogens that induce inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (air passages into the lungs). At the end of a coughing spell, a dog will often retch and cough up a white foamy discharge. Some dogs also develop conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelids), rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane), and a nasal discharge. Affected dogs usually remain active and alert and continue to eat well.
If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, isolate your dog from other dogs and call your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can typically diagnose kennel cough from a physical exam and history. The cough is very characteristic sign of kennel cough and can be easily elicited by massaging the dog's larynx or trachea.
If the dog is depressed, feverish, expelling a thick yellow or green discharge from its nose, or making abnormal lung sounds, your veterinarian may want to perform diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), chest x-ray, and laboratory analysis of the microorganisms inhabiting your dog's airways. These tests can help determine whether the dog has developed pneumonia or another infectious illness such as canine distemper.
Immunization is an important part of a kennel cough prevention program and is recommended. Since kennel cough is caused by multiple organisms, which makes effective immunization difficult, you should focus on minimizing your dog's exposure to the disease causing organisms. Don't share your dog's toys or food and water bowls with unfamiliar dogs. If your dog is in an indoor kennel or show, make sure the indoor area is adequately ventilated so airborne organisms are transferred outside.
If your dog is diagnosed with kennel cough, your veterinarian will likely prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent any secondary bacterial infection and a cough suppressant. The use of a relatively new antibiotic, azithromycin, appears to be effective in persistent cases of kennel cough and in the treatment of the mycoplasmal forms of tracheobronchitis.
Before any treatment regimen is administered, is it is imperative that a proper veterinary examination and appropriate diagnostics be performed.
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