Kennel Cough Or Canine Cough

This common name is an umbrella term for a range of respiratory infections that can be either bacterial or viral and impact the windpipe and/or voice box. The two most common causes are the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus.

Kennel Cough gets its name from a respiratory infection's ability to quickly travel through enclosed facilities with limited air circulation such as a kennel or shelter.These infections can travel through shared air, water, or objects. You can often identify a respiratory illness from a dry cough, gagging sound, fever, or coughing up white foam.

If your dog is bright, perky, eating well, and playful, you may not need to visit the vet. But always phone for advice if you are worried and advise the clinic on arrival that your dog has been coughing – it’s best if they wait somewhere other than a crowded waiting room. In general, it's a good idea to keep your dog away from other dogs while they are coughing.

One mechanism of contraction prevention involves making sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date. To treat these respiratory conditions, you should consult your veterinarian and keep your pet isolated from other animals to prevent further spreading.

There is no single test to diagnose kennel cough. Usually, if your dog has symptoms and has been exposed to a crowd of other canines within the incubation period, it’s adequate to diagnose them with kennel cough. Swabs can be taken to determine the exact virus or bacteria causing kennel cough – although this isn’t always useful for treatment. If there are suspected complications, radiographs can be used to assess a dog’s condition.