What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), is an upper respiratory infection in dogs. It’s called kennel cough because it can spread quickly among dogs in close quarters like kennels or shelters. The most obvious symptom is a strong, hacking cough that often sounds like a honking noise. Other common symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, and a low fever (Source 1).
Kennel cough is usually caused by a combination of viral and bacterial pathogens that infect the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (air passages) of dogs. The inflammation leads to irritation and excessive mucus production, which triggers the cough reflex (Source 2). The infection is highly contagious and spreads through the air when infected dogs cough or sneeze. It can also spread through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Common Causes
Kennel cough is caused by both viral and bacterial infections of the dog’s respiratory tract. The most common causes include:
Viruses
Viral infections such as canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus-2 are common causes of kennel cough. These viruses damage the lining of the respiratory tract, allowing secondary bacterial infections to take hold.
Bacteria
Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterial cause of kennel cough. This bacterium sticks to the cilia (microscopic hairs) in the respiratory tract and releases toxins that damage the lining of the airways. Mycoplasma bacteria can also cause kennel cough symptoms.
Environmental Factors
Stress, poor ventilation, close contact with infected dogs, and exposure to cigarette smoke, dust, or air pollution can increase a dog’s risk of developing kennel cough. The respiratory irritation caused by these environmental factors makes infection more likely.
Risk Factors
Certain dogs are at higher risk of developing kennel cough. Some of the main risk factors include:
Unvaccinated dogs – Dogs that have not received the kennel cough vaccine are more susceptible to infection. The vaccine helps build immunity against the most common causes of kennel cough such as Bordatella bronchiseptica.
Dogs in kennels/shelters – Kennel cough is highly contagious and easily spreads in crowded, poorly ventilated environments like kennels and shelters where dogs come into close contact. The stress of these environments may also weaken a dog’s immune system.
Young dogs – Puppies and adolescent dogs have less developed immune systems, making them more prone to infection. Most kennel cough cases occur in dogs under 1 year old.
Sources:
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/risks-kennel-cough
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/kennel-cough
Transmission
Kennel cough is highly contagious and spreads easily through the air when an infected dog coughs or sneezes. The airborne droplets can travel several feet and linger in the air for hours, especially in contained spaces like kennels or veterinary clinics. This makes kennel cough notorious for spreading rapidly between dogs in close contact.
In home settings, kennel cough can spread through shared water bowls, toys, bedding, and other surfaces. The bacteria and viruses that cause kennel cough can survive on these objects for up to several days if not properly disinfected. Bringing an infected dog to public places like dog parks and pet stores also increases the risk of transmission through contaminated public items and close interaction with other dogs.
According to Calder Vets, even brief exposure to airborne droplets from an infected dog’s cough can transmit kennel cough. Limiting interaction with unknown dogs and disinfecting shared items helps reduce transmission risks at home.
Preventing at Home
There are several steps you can take at home to help prevent your dog from getting kennel cough:
Vaccines – One of the best ways to prevent kennel cough is to keep your dog up to date on their Bordetella vaccine. This vaccine is usually given every 6-12 months intranasally. While it doesn’t cover against every potential cause of kennel cough, it can help protect against the most common bacterial and viral culprits like Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza. Be sure to discuss the timing of this vaccine with your veterinarian.
Limit Exposure – Since kennel cough is highly contagious, limiting your dog’s exposure to potentially infected dogs can help prevent transmission. Avoid areas like dog parks, daycares, boarding facilities, groomers, and other high traffic dog areas. Walk your dog on leash in controlled areas. If you must board your dog, opt for smaller facilities with stringent cleanliness and vaccine protocols.
Cleanliness – Maintain cleanliness in your home and yard to help minimize environmental exposure risks. Disinfect food and water bowls regularly, clean up yard messes promptly, and sanitize toys, bedding, leashes/collars, and other items your dog contacts. Also wash your hands after touching unknown dogs to avoid indirectly transmitting bacteria or viruses to your dog.
Treating at Home
The best treatment for dogs with kennel cough at home is rest. Encourage your dog to get plenty of sleep and limit their activity as this allows their body to conserve energy to fight the infection. Adequate rest is one of the best remedies for kennel cough.
Adding honey to warm water and having your dog drink it can help soothe their throat and minimize coughing. The honey acts as a demulcent, coating the throat and easing irritation. Give 1 teaspoon of honey per 20 pounds of body weight mixed with warm water 2-3 times a day.
Some herbal remedies like licorice root and marshmallow root contain mucilage which can also help coat and soothe an irritated throat. You can find herbal blends designed for kennel cough or make your own by steeping the herbs in hot water and having your dog drink the infusion. Always consult your vet before giving any herbal remedies.
When to See a Vet
Despite kennel cough often being a mild illness that resolves on its own, there are some cases where you should take your dog to the vet. You should contact your vet if your dog’s cough persists for more than 7-10 days without improvement. According to WebMD, owners may want to take their dog to the vet if the cough persists after a week or more at home.
You should also see your vet if your dog develops a high fever over 103°F, as this could indicate a secondary infection that requires antibiotics. Likewise, any breathing issues like wheezing or rapid, shallow breathing warrants a vet visit to check for pneumonia or other complications.
A cough lasting over 10 days, high fever, and breathing trouble are all signs your dog may need more than just rest and home care. Contact your vet promptly if your dog has any of these more serious symptoms along with their cough.
Vet Treatments
If your dog’s kennel cough symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to take them to the vet for treatment. Vets have several options for treating kennel cough in dogs:
Antibiotics: Vets often prescribe antibiotics like doxycycline or amoxicillin to fight bacterial infections causing kennel cough. Antibiotics help reduce coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. According to one source, antibiotics are most effective if started within the first few days of symptoms (1).
Cough Suppressants: Cough suppressants like butorphanol or hydrocodone can provide relief from frequent coughing. These medications help control coughing fits so your dog can rest and recover (2).
IV Fluids: Dehydration is common with kennel cough due to loss of fluids from coughing and nasal discharge. Vets may administer IV fluids to prevent dehydration and support the immune system.
In mild cases of kennel cough, antibiotics and cough medication may be the only treatments needed. More severe cases could require hospitalization for oxygen therapy, nebulization, and injectable antibiotics (3). Your vet will tailor the treatment plan to your dog’s specific condition and symptoms.
Sources:
(1) https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/respiratory/kennel-cough-dogs-symptoms-and-treatments
(2) https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/remedies-kennel-cough
(3) https://allkindsvet.com/kennel-cough/
Recovery Process
The timeline for recovering from kennel cough can vary depending on the severity of the infection, the dog’s age and health status. However, most dogs start to improve within 3-10 days after the onset of symptoms. Puppies, older dogs or those with weakened immune systems may take a little longer to fully recover.
According to The Vets[1], the coughing and nasal discharge from kennel cough generally starts improving after about 7-10 days, though the cough may persist for up to a month in some cases. Dogs will usually return to normal activity levels and appetite within 2 weeks.
To help prevent reinfection, continue to keep your dog away from areas like dog parks, daycares or boarding facilities where kennel cough spreads easily. Thoroughly disinfect your home, especially areas like crates, food bowls and toys. Ask any visitors to wash their hands before interacting with your dog. Continue giving any prescribed antibiotics or supplements until they are finished.
While most dogs make a full recovery within 2-4 weeks, contact your vet if symptoms last longer than expected or seem to recur. They can provide additional medications or treatment if needed.
Preventing Reinfection
There are a few key ways to help prevent your dog from getting reinfected with kennel cough after recovering:
Vaccines: Get your dog vaccinated against kennel cough. The bordetella vaccine helps protect against the main bacteria that causes kennel cough. However, it may not fully prevent infection as there are other viruses that can also cause kennel cough symptoms. Still, the vaccine boosts immunity and reduces severity. Get an annual booster shot to maintain protection (source).
Limiting Exposure: Avoid taking your dog to crowded areas like dog parks, pet stores, and kennels during outbreaks. This reduces the risk of exposure while their immune system is still recovering. Also keep puppies away from adult dogs that could pass the infection (source).
Boost Immunity: Support your dog’s immune health with proper nutrition, exercise, rest, and supplements if recommended by your vet. A strong immune system makes it harder for kennel cough to take hold again.