The Dangers of Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is a dangerous and highly contagious illness. The term “kennel cough” is actually an umbrella term used to explain quite a few bacteria and viruses that cause upper respiratory disease in dogs. When infected with kennel cough, a dog’s voice box and windpipe will become inflamed.
This highly contagious disease is characterized by a series of symptoms. If your dog displays one or more of these symptoms, he should be promptly evaluated by a veterinary doctor. Neglecting to have your dog seen and/or treated can lead to serious consequences for your dog—such as pneumonia.
- Coughing
- Gagging
- Sneezing
- Retching
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Presence of discharge from eyes and nose
- Lack of interest in eating and/or drinking
- Appetite loss
Kennel cough is an airborne illness that’s spread through exposure to other dogs. Dogs that spend time in frequent contact with other dogs are most susceptible to contracting kennel cough. Dogs that are confined to areas such as boarding facilities, groomers and doggie daycare facilities are at high risk too due to the poor air circulation and ventilation. Kennel cough can also be spread in open air environments such as dog parks but the likelihood of contracting it is higher in more confined environments.
If your dog contracts kennel cough your veterinary doctor may do one of two things. Your vet may suggest treatment with antibiotics or cough suppressants but often times a vet, especially holistic vets, will suggest that you simply allow the illness to run its course. Kennel cough may persist for three weeks or longer, so patience is key.
However, there are some things you should do along the way.
- Isolate your dog from other animals.
- Use a harness to keep the pressure off of your dog’s windpipe.
- Feed your dog a high quality diet and use supplements such as Vitamin C as instructed by your veterinarian.
- Utilize a vaporizer or humidifier. Doing so will help your dog breathe more easily.
- Monitor the amount of time you allow your dog to play and exercise. Don’t let him overdo it.
- If signs of extreme lethargy or fever are present, contact your veterinary doctor immediately.
While kennel cough is a serious and lengthy illness, it is ordinarily not life threatening. Puppies and older dogs are more susceptible to contracting kennel cough and will have a harder time fighting it. Don’t forget to be patient and provide your dog with extra love along the way. The best prevention is simply to be very cautious about where you are taking your dog and more importantly, where you are leaving him.
