What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), is an upper respiratory infection in dogs. It’s called kennel cough because it often spreads quickly between dogs in close quarters like kennels and shelters.
Kennel cough is most commonly caused by bacterial and viral infections, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza virus, and Mycoplasma. These pathogens attack the respiratory tract, causing inflammation of the trachea and bronchi.
Kennel cough is highly contagious and spreads through the air when infected dogs cough or sneeze. The viruses and bacteria can also survive on objects like food bowls, collars, leashes, and human hands. Dogs with weak immune systems are most susceptible.
While kennel cough itself tends to be mild, it can progress to pneumonia in rare cases, especially in young puppies. Most dogs recover fully within a few weeks.
Symptoms of Kennel Cough
The main symptoms of kennel cough include:
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A strong, persistent cough that often has a “honking” sound. This cough can occur frequently throughout the day and may sound like a goose honking. It is the most obvious symptom of kennel cough.
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A runny nose with discharge.
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Fever in some cases.
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Loss of appetite.
Other symptoms may include sneezing, lethargy, and acting generally unwell. However, the hallmark symptom is the forceful, hacking cough. Dogs with kennel cough will cough frequently throughout the day and night.
According to the AKC, the cough caused by kennel cough can persist for 10 to 21 days even with treatment (source). The severity of symptoms can range from mild to quite pronounced, depending on the cause and the individual dog’s immune response.
Is Kennel Cough Painful?
Kennel cough can certainly be uncomfortable and painful for dogs. The intense, persistent coughing spasms associated with kennel cough can result in throat irritation, chest soreness, and general discomfort. The forceful coughing fits irritate the throat and trachea, causing soreness and rawness similar to a human sore throat [1].
The chest pain that dogs experience with kennel cough comes from all the muscular exertion put into the coughing fits. The strong coughing contractions can strain the chest muscles and leave them feeling tender and painful. The persistent coughing can also cause general chest soreness from the repeated motion and pressure in the chest cavity [2].
In addition to throat and chest discomfort, dogs with kennel cough often experience malaise, lack of appetite, and lethargy. The combination of sore throat, chest pain, and tiredness can leave dogs feeling quite unwell and miserable during a bout of kennel cough.
Diagnosing Kennel Cough
Diagnosing kennel cough involves a veterinary exam and review of the dog’s medical history. The vet will listen to the dog’s chest using a stethoscope to check for any abnormal sounds associated with coughing. They will also check the dog’s temperature, examine their throat, and assess the overall symptoms.
The vet may perform additional tests to rule out other conditions that could be causing a cough, such as heart disease or lung infections. These tests can include:
- Blood work
- Chest X-rays
- Bacterial cultures from the throat
- PCR tests for Bordetella bacteria DNA
Vets will often diagnose kennel cough based on the characteristic cough itself after excluding other causes. However, identifying the underlying infection through laboratory tests can help guide treatment options.[1]
There is no single definitive test for kennel cough. The combination of a thorough physical exam, diagnostic imaging, and lab work helps vets accurately diagnose this contagious respiratory illness in dogs.
Treating Kennel Cough
There are a few main ways to treat kennel cough in dogs:
Antibiotics: Antibiotics like doxycycline may be prescribed by a veterinarian to help treat any secondary bacterial infections associated with kennel cough and shorten the length of the illness. According to WebMD, antibiotics can help speed recovery in many cases1.
Cough suppressants: Cough suppressants can provide relief from frequent coughing and allow the dog to rest. Drugs like hydrocodone are sometimes prescribed for short-term use under veterinary supervision. However, suppressing the cough too much can be counterproductive to clearing the airways2.
Rest and hydration: Ensuring the dog gets adequate rest and staying hydrated is important, as kennel cough can be taxing on the body. Rest allows the immune system to work while hydration keeps mucous secretions thinner.
Other medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation associated with kennel cough. However, most mild cases resolve on their own within a few weeks with just supportive care at home.
Home Remedies for Kennel Cough
There are some natural home remedies that can help soothe a dog’s cough and potentially speed up recovery from kennel cough. Some of the most common home remedies include:
Honey – Honey can help coat and soothe a dog’s sore throat, as well as suppress coughing. Give 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey 2-3 times per day. Make sure to use raw, organic honey. Source
Steam – Steam from a humidifier or hot shower can help loosen mucus and provide moisture to relieve coughing. Take your dog into the bathroom while you shower for 5-10 minutes at a time. Keep the water warm, not hot. Source
Cold air – Taking your dog outside in cool, fresh air can also help reduce coughing fits. Avoid very cold or drafty conditions.
Probiotics – Probiotic supplements can help build up good bacteria in your dog’s gut to support immune health. Look for dog-specific probiotic powders or chews. Give as directed on the product.
Preventing Kennel Cough
The best way to prevent kennel cough is to minimize a dog’s exposure to the bacteria and viruses that cause kennel cough. Here are some tips for prevention:
Get your dog vaccinated. Vaccines, especially intranasal ones, can help prevent many of the most common causes of kennel cough. While not 100% effective, they are an important part of prevention. Discuss vaccine options with your vet.
Avoid crowded areas like dog parks, daycares, and boarding facilities when possible. These environments allow for easy transmission of kennel cough pathogens between dogs in close contact. Limit visits to these areas to reduce risk.
Practice good hygiene. Thoroughly clean food and water bowls, toys, crates, and bedding regularly to kill bacteria and viruses. Disinfect surfaces dogs come in contact with.
Avoid nose-to-nose contact with unknown dogs. Kennel cough spreads through respiratory droplets, so limiting contact with potentially infected dogs’ noses and mouths reduces transmission risk.
Isolate any sick dogs at home until recovered. This prevents them from exposing other pets. Separate dogs that become ill after potential exposure until fully recovered.
Risk Factors for Kennel Cough
Certain situations and environments can increase a dog’s risk of developing kennel cough. Some of the main risk factors include:
Young dogs – Puppies and adolescent dogs have immature immune systems, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections like kennel cough. Their airways are also smaller and more fragile.
Animal shelters – Shelters often house many dogs in close quarters with poor ventilation, allowing kennel cough to spread rapidly between dogs. The stress of the shelter environment also weakens dogs’ immune systems.[1]
Boarding facilities – Like shelters, kennels house many dogs closely together in an enclosed space, facilitating transmission of kennel cough. Boarding is also stressful for dogs.
Dog parks/daycares – Any area where dogs congregate in close contact poses a higher kennel cough risk. Play at parks can also stress dogs’ airways through panting and barking.
Avoiding these high-risk areas or taking preventative measures can reduce a dog’s chances of developing kennel cough.
Prognosis for Kennel Cough
The prognosis for kennel cough is generally very good. For most healthy dogs, kennel cough will usually resolve on its own within 1-3 weeks without complications. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, “Usually the dog will recover within two weeks.”1 Best Friends Animal Society also notes that “For most cases of kennel cough in dogs, the prognosis is very good. Most dogs don’t even require treatment and recover on their own within 10 to 14 days.”2
While kennel cough can sometimes lead to secondary infections like pneumonia, especially in young puppies, older dogs, or dogs with compromised immune systems, complications are relatively rare. With appropriate treatment, dogs that do develop secondary infections generally recover fully. As Perth Vet Care states, “For otherwise healthy and regularly vaccinated dogs, the prognosis is excellent. The prognosis is good to excellent even for dogs that developed pneumonia, as long as it’s treated promptly.”3
So in most cases, kennel cough runs its course without issue and dogs make a full recovery within a few weeks. While annoying for both dogs and owners, kennel cough itself is not considered a serious illness for adult dogs in good health.
When to See the Vet
Kennel cough is usually a mild illness that runs its course within 1-2 weeks, but in some cases veterinary attention is warranted. You should take your dog to the vet if they have a persistent cough that lasts more than 2 weeks or gets worse instead of better over time. Other signs that indicate a vet visit is needed include lethargy, loss of appetite, breathing issues, or signs the condition has turned into pneumonia. According to WebMD, veterinary assistance should be sought “if the dog has a persistent cough after coming home from a boarding kennel or puppy class” [1]. Pneumonia can develop in more severe cases of kennel cough, which causes breathing issues like rapid breathing or shortness of breath. These respiratory signs point to complication that requires prompt veterinary care. In summary, while kennel cough often resolves on its own, it’s important to monitor your dog’s symptoms and seek veterinary care if the cough persists or worsens, or if signs of lethargy, appetite loss, or breathing difficulty develop.