Introduction
Upper respiratory infections in dogs are caused by viral and bacterial infections which affect the dog’s upper airways. In rare cases, upper respiratory infections in dogs can occur due to canine nasal mites and lung flukes.
Causes of Upper Respiratory Infections in Dogs
Bacteria and Viruses
The two most common causes of upper respiratory infections in dogs are from viruses associated with canine influenza and from bacteria associated with kennel cough, also known as bordetella.
Bordetella can be caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica, viruses which include the canine adenovirus, the canine respiratory coronavirus, and viruses that are associated with canine distemper. Canine influenza is caused by the influenzavirus A. These viruses, and bacteria, are highly contagious.
Parasites
The canine nasal mite, Pneumonyssoides caninum, lives within the nasal passages and sinuses. These mites cause sneezing, running nose, coughing, swelling of the nasal passages, and secondary bacterial infections. Lung flukes are parasites which live within cysts inside the lungs; these parasites can cause continual coughing symptoms.
Which Dogs are at Risk?
Upper respiratory infections tend to occur in dogs with impaired immune systems and in puppies with undeveloped immune systems. Dogs that are not vaccinated against bordetella infections are at a higher risk for developing upper respiratory infections especially if they frequently come into contact with other dogs.
While the viruses and bacteria that cause upper respiratory infections in dogs can easily be killed with disinfectants, if they are not disinfected they can live in the environment for quite some time. To prevent the spread of canine upper respiratory infections, proper disinfecting measures should be strictly followed.