Kennel Cough, What Owners Need to Know
by Dr. Luis Leon
Has your dog recently been around other dogs and started to have a harsh, hacking cough that sounds as though it has something caught in its throat? If so, your dog may have kennel cough.
Kennel cough is a term that describes an infection of the upper respiratory tract which causes dogs to have sudden, intense, and prolonged coughing episodes. Sometimes, you can also see sneezing along with eye and/or nasal discharge. Dogs contract kennel cough by being exposed to other dogs, particularly high-density environments such as dog parks, dog day care facilities, boarding facilities, grooming facilities, dog shows, shelters, and even veterinary hospitals. Sometimes, these coughs are so intense they may cause retching or gagging, or be accompanied by the expelling of phlegm, causing many to think that there actually is something stuck in their dog’s throat. Thankfully, that is not the case, and most of these cases are self-limiting, meaning that no treatment is needed and affected dogs will recover on their own within two weeks. However, in some cases disease can become more severe, with symptoms such as fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, and difficulty breathing. Puppies, as well as dogs that are unvaccinated, are more likely to develop severe symptoms. It is important to have your dogs vaccinated and up to date against adenovirus, parainfluenza (part of the DAPP vaccine combo), Bordetella, and influenza. However, vaccination can never lead to 100% prevention, as there are many other viruses and bacteria that can cause kennel cough that we do not have vaccines for.
So, what should you do if your dog begins coughing? Keep your dog isolated from other dogs to avoid spreading the infection. Do not board your dog or take them to the park. I strongly recommend having your pet seen so an exam can be performed, and we can confirm that, based on history and exam findings, that kennel cough is the most likely reason for your dog’s cough. If you have any questions or concerns about kennel cough, give us a call, we are here to help!