No matter the time of year, getting sick can happen without warning. But what about your furry family members? Your dog can get sick just as easily and without warning. But if your dog is keeping you up all night coughing, you can’t exactly give them some Sudafed.
So what should you do?
With the dreaded kennel cough making its rounds again, how can you tell when a cough is something serious?
Here are some tips on how to deal with kennel cough and other doggie illnesses.
What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract infection. It is believed to be caused by several different agents, including the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica, the canine parainfluenza virus, and the canine coronavirus. It’s usually a mixture of bacteria and viruses, and there are eleven different types of viruses that can lead to kennel cough.
The symptoms of kennel cough include:
- Strong cough that can sound like honking
- Sneezing
- Eye discharge
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Runny nose
- Low fever
Kennel cough is easily treatable in healthy adult dogs. However, it can be dangerous for puppies, elderly dogs, and dogs with any existing illnesses. It can even develop into pneumonia if left untreated.
How Can My Dog Catch Kennel Cough?
Just like its name, one of the most common areas that spreads kennel cough is a kennel. That’s simply because the virus is extremely contagious and is easily spreadable in areas where multiple dogs gather. Kennel cough can spread through airborne droplets, contaminated surfaces, or direct contact.
Moist areas: Kennel cough can survive longer in moist areas. If you live in a moist climate, or your pup stays in a moist environment, it may be exposed to kennel cough more easily.
Cold weather: When it’s cold, your pup may stay inside more. This can weaken their immune system and make them more vulnerable to catching the virus when around other dogs.
Areas that are common breeding grounds for doggie illnesses are:
- Doggie daycare/Training classes
- Boarding facilities (kennels)
- Dog parks/Dog shows
- Veterinary offices
- Animal shelters
- Grooming salons
Your dog can pick up kennel cough pretty much anywhere other dogs congregate. It can be as simple as greeting another dog as you pass it on the sidewalk (touching noses).
Preventing Kennel Cough
You can’t keep your dog locked up in a protective room all the time, so how can you keep your beloved pup from getting sick?
Avoidance
One way to prevent kennel cough is to limit your pup’s exposure to other dogs, avoiding areas like dog parks where dogs like to gather. However, this can be impossible in some situations, like vet visits, necessary kennel stays, or the groomers. You can limit your dog’s stays in such places, ensure they have good ventilation, and take them through outdoor access entrances to limit exposure to other dogs.
Also consider having an in-home dog sitter when you have to travel, or look into in-home groomers for grooming visits.
Vaccines
An easier way to prevent kennel cough is to keep your pup current on all vaccines. Some vaccines are only available for at-risk dogs, like ones that frequent kennels or have health issues. Other vaccines, like the influenza vaccine, are only administered if there has been a significant outbreak.
Most veterinarians have vaccines available for Bordetella, distemper, and canine parainfluenza and canine influenza virus. Although vaccines won’t prevent your dog from catching the illness or from spreading it, it will limit the amount of time your pup is sick. Vaccines will also decrease the severity of the illness. The exception to vaccines is the canine distemper vaccine, which does prevent illness.
Kennel Cough or Something Else?
It can be difficult to tell for certain if your dog has kennel cough or some other doggie illness without a vet visit. Other illnesses can have similar symptoms to kennel cough, such as:
- Canine distemper
- Canine influenza
- Collapsing trachea
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Heart disease
- Pneumonia
- SARS-CoV-2 infection
The only way to ensure your pup doesn’t have something more serious than kennel cough is to schedule a vet visit. Your vet can check for kennel cough by diagnosing symptoms and by taking nose and throat swabs, cultures, and chest X-rays.
Treating Kennel Cough
Once you know for sure that your pup has kennel cough and not something else, there are several ways you can help your dog feel better and recover faster. In most cases, kennel cough will resolve on its own, though it can take up to 14 days.
Medicine
A vet will often prescribe an antibiotic like doxycycline to address the bacterial causes of kennel cough. Antibiotics can also shorten the shedding period (no, not fur), which is the time a dog is contagious to other dogs. Cough suppressants and nebulizers can also be administered to help ease your pup’s symptoms.
Love and Care
Of course, just like with people, animals need extra attention and care when they’re feeling poorly. Keep your dog warm, and offer it plenty of water, extra little treats, and nice warm blankets to cozy up in.
Final Thoughts
Remember that kennel cough is rarely a serious disease, and most cases clear up without intervention. Just like the common cold, kennel cough often just needs to follow its course. Always check with your vet to make sure it’s nothing more serious.Then, make your dog as comfortable as possible and give him plenty of love while he’s feeling poorly. You might even pop in your pup’s favorite TV show while he’s resting comfortably with you!