Kennel Cough (tracheobronchitis) Symptoms and Treatments

Kennel cough is a highly contagious infection of the upper respiratory system. The characteristic of this condition is a hard, dry hacking cough, as though he has a bone stuck in his throat and can't get rid of it, and after a bout of coughing he will bring up a white foamy-looking discharge. Occasionally your dog may have a runny nose or develop mild conjunctivitis in his eye. Most cases are mild and will clear up, but puppies are susceptible to infections and may suffer with this particular condition quite badly.

The condition is picked up from other dogs, particularly in overcrowded conditions or during stressful situations like travelling to dog shows, and is often seen in dogs who have been on obedience classes, in dog shows, or have been put in kennels during an owner's summer holidays, and where ventilation is inadequate. It can also occur in dogs who have been left in cold conditions or where there is a smoky or dusty atmosphere, mainly because the lining of the respiratory system becomes irritated and inflamed.

The majority of cases are caused by the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica and to a lesser extent by the canine distemper virus, parainfluenza virus or the canine adenomavirus, and in many cases the infection will have been caused by a combination of two or three of these pathogens.

Most vets will say that it's not possible to guarantee immunity by vaccinating against kennel cough, simply because of the range of organisms that can cause it, but they do recommend either an intranasal spray, which will be effective from about 5 days after application and will last a few weeks, or an injection which will cover your dog as much as possible for up to nine months.

There is a herbal remedy on the market called K-9 which works by boosting the dog's immune system, treating the cough and raising his resistance to infection. Some vets are recommending the use of antibiotics to treat the secondary infections.

However, prevention is always better than cure, and you should make sure your dogs are kept away from any infected dogs and restrict the situations in which he is likely to encounter dogs in overcrowded or stressful conditions. If you are planning on showing him, or putting him in the company of a number of other dogs, plan ahead and have him vaccinated a good five days before he is due to move so that he has built up some resistance.

Next article: Canine Distemper Symptoms and Treatments