If your dog is hacking away or constantly making noises that make it sound like they are choking on something, they may have a case of kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis. Although kennel cough can sound terrible, most of the time it is not a serious condition, and most dogs will recover without treatment, in other instances, your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication. If the pet is immunocompromised, vets often prescribe antibiotics.
Just as human colds may be caused by many different viruses, kennel cough itself can have multiple causes. One of the most common culprits is a bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica m– which is why kennel cough is often called Bordetella. Dogs “catch” kennel cough when they inhale bacteria or virus particles into their respiratory tract.
The classic symptom of kennel cough is a persistent, forceful cough. It often sounds like a goose honk. Some dogs with kennel cough may show other symptoms of illness, including sneezing, a runny nose, or eye discharge. If your dog has kennel cough, they probably will not lose their appetite or have a decreased energy level.
Despite its common name Kennel Cough can be caught by any dog which mixes with other dogs or frequents public places where other dogs go. And yes! they can get it from humans too.
Kennel cough is contagious. If you think your dog might have the condition, you should keep them away from other animals and contact your veterinarian.
The risk of Kennel Cough and the severity of symptoms can be reduced by giving a vaccination every 12 months.
What does Poochie’s do to prevent the spread of Kennel Cough?
- Just like when it happens at your human kid’s daycare, as soon as we notice the signs of a “bug” that may be about to go around town, we alert all the moms and dads. We send out an email to anyone whose dogs are here with us, have been here in the last 15 days, or will be coming here in the next 30 days for boarding, daycamp or grooming. We also put signs up at the entrances that include what we know about the severity of the symptoms and whether it’s widespread or if it’s only a small percentage of dogs that we’ve seen affected by it.
- The staff (who already know what signs to look for) is put on high alert. If any dog displays a symptom, their family is notified, and that dog is moved upstairs to the manager and owners’ offices for some R & R until their parents can pick them up.
- The last thing we do is to segregate the elderly, the puppies and any dog that has a known weaker immune system. If any dog in care has a fever or any severe symptoms, they’ll see the vets next door right away.