BY Dr. Kathy Enright
Kennel cough is an infection of upper respiratory tract in dogs, mainly the nose, sinuses, pharynx and larynx. It’s caused by a mixed bacterial & viral infection, but most commonly the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica and the virus canine Parainfluenza virus. Even though it can sound very severe and serious, some dogs do not require more than supportive treatment, but if severe or if old or infirm they can go on to develop complications. The Infection can be short lived and last for 7-10 days, but it can last as long as up to 6 weeks with possibly more severe complications as the time goes by.
The most common misconception about Kennel cough is that dogs can only get infected if they go into kennels. Your dog can become infected anywhere where they may have contact with other dogs. On walks, in the parks, at your friends, the groomers or even in the vets. You can carry this bacteria or virus on your clothes, your hands and infect your dog after petting a dog who is infectious.
The first symptoms are coughing and sneezing. A persistent, dry goose-honk like cough, snorting, nasal discharge and gagging. Fits of coughing can develop if your pet gets very excited during exercise or when you get home from work, and this can often result in your dog coughing up or retching a white frothy material. This is often confused with vomitng. Usually your dog will remain in good form and eating and drinking well. But these coughing fits can be distressing. But if your dog is old or immunocompromised, there is always a possibility of complications like pneumonia.
Treatment for Kennel cough usually involves anti-inflammatories, anti-tussives (Anti coughing meds) and only if we are concerned and the animal is immunocomprimised we may need to give antibiotics. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and are not indicated here unless there are complicating factors.The simplest way to avoid this infection is to vaccinate your dog. This vaccination is completely pain free as it is not an injection but is administrated into the nose. After we vaccinate your dog, they will lick their lips, snort for little and this will distribute the vaccine through the nose and sinuses and provide protection that lasts a year.
At Clare Street Vets and Shannon Vets, we always recommend that you vaccinate for kennel cough with your annual booster vaccination and we give a €5 discount to everyone who does so at this time.
