Definition of Kennel Cough
Kennel cough, medically known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious, acute upper-respiratory tract disease of dogs that commonly involves laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis.
How Kennel Cough Affects Dogs
The signs of tracheobronchitis normally appear about 4 to 5 days after exposure to an infected dog, which usually occurs in any situation where dogs congregate in what might be less than ideal hygienic conditions. Dogs of any age are at risk of developing kennel cough, but puppies tend to be more severely affected. Fortunately, the signs of kennel cough are easy to recognize. Most dogs show a classic course of mild disease characterized by sudden onset of a harsh, dry cough without other signs of discomfort or distress. There is no gender or breed predisposition to developing kennel cough. In uncommon cases, and more so in puppies or unvaccinated adult dogs, kennel cough can progress to a more severe disease that includes fever, nasal and ocular discharge, a deep productive cough, inappetance, lethargy, exercise intolerance and dyspnea.
Causes of Kennel Cough in Dogs
Kennel cough is highly contagious. It can be caused by one or a combination of several different bacterial, viral or mycoplasmal agents. In most cases, the condition occurs when a dog becomes infected with canine adenoviruses types I or 2, canine herpesvirus, canine parainfluenza virus or Bordetella bronchiseptica. The Bordetella bacteria may contribute to a secondary infection when a dog has been infected with another viral respiratory pathogen.
Preventing Kennel Cough in Dogs
The clinical manifestations of kennel cough typically show up within a week of exposure to infected animals. Prevention can be accomplished by not exposing dogs to other dogs who may be infected. The most common at-risk areas are boarding kennels, shelters, grooming facilities, dog shows, dog parks, veterinary clinics and similar close-contact environments. There are several vaccines for kennel cough, some of which are part of combination canine vaccines. The intranasal Bordetella vaccine is highly recommended in dogs to prevent kennel cough.
Special Notes
The prognosis for dogs with simple kennel cough is good to excellent. Puppies or unvaccinated older dogs have a more guarded prognosis due to their increased risk of developing bronchopneumonia. It is possible for immunocompromised humans to become infected by Bordetella bronchiseptica, although this is uncommon.