Kennel Cough In Dogs

There will probably come a time when you might want go on an extended trip with your family and would have no choice but to board your pet dog in a kennel. Upon return, you would be very upset if you found that your dog had contracted kennel cough or bordetella, which your pet most probably got from other infected dogs in the board facility.

This type of disease is a very common dog health issue due to its highly contagious nature that can affect thousands of dogs simply because they were in close proximity to other infected canines. Scientifically known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis, kennel cough is most commonly caused by transmission of the parainfluenza virus or Bordetalla bronchiseptica and is usually addressed by vaccination and following preventative measures to avoid infection.

Understanding Kennel Cough

This type of canine cough disease is highly contagious and most dog owners rely on vaccination to protect their dogs from infection. However, even when vaccinated, several dogs still have the tendency to catch the disease. There are no known cures for this disease,  and about the only thing that you do for your pet is to provide relief by treating the symptoms.

Such symptoms may include a sudden loss of appetite coupled with difficulty in breathing and a high-pitched or dry hacking cough. The cough sounds like the dog has got something lodged in his throat and may usually be accompanied by retching and gagging. 

Tips in Treating Kennel Cough

Because it sounds like it causes so much distress to their dogs, many dog owners want to know how long kennel cough lasts. The good news is that even without treatment, the disease can run its course in 1 to 3 weeks time. Relief can be administered by using a humidifier particularly if the season is dry. Another alternative is to let your dog undergo a steam bath inside the shower room. This can be done a few times in a particular day and would be effective in opening up the bronchial passages and provide breathing relief.

Boosting the dog's immune system with vitamins can also be a good practice. This can be supplemented by using natural treatments, from homeopathic medicine stores, which can have cough suppressant products that can actually ease your dog's difficulty in breathing. Still, you need to be concerned if your pet starts coughing up colored phlegm and has a significant loss in appetite. There is a possibility that a secondary infection has occurred and may need to be treated with antibiotics and this calls for a visit to the veterinarian.  

Tips in Preventing Kennel Cough

The only recourse for a disease that has no cure is prevention. The following are some tips that can help prevent your dogs from acquiring this disease.

As much as it can be possible, you should limit the time your dogs are exposed to a larger number of other dogs, particularly pups and even stray dogs. Reducing the risk of exposure to the disease is also a very important step and this includes checking out the areas where your dogs frequent to including boarding facilities.

You should also be vigilant for potential symptoms by giving your dog frequent exams at home on your own. If you suspect your dog is exhibiting symptoms, it would be wise to contact your veterinarian immediately. On top of this, make sure that your pets have completed their vaccination schedules to ensure that they have developed a good immune system, not only for kennel cough but for other diseases as well.