Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is the common name given to infectious bronchitis in dogs. Just as in chest infections in humans, a number of different bacteria and viruses can cause the illness – normally a combination of both. It affects their respiratory system, causing them to cough. The infection affects the throat, airway and lungs. It’s caused by bacteria or viruses and can spread quickly between dogs. Despite the name, kennel cough is most commonly caught in parks and other popular dog walking areas, rather than in boarding kennels.  It was named kennel cough because it can quickly spread through a kennel and infect every dog. Infectious tracheobronchitis, commonly known as kennel cough, is a canine respiratory infection caused by bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus. Kennel cough is VERY contagious. In most healthy adult dogs, kennel cough will clear up by itself without treatment. The infection is more dangerous for vulnerable dogs, such as:

• elderly dogs
• puppies
• dogs with ongoing health issues like bronchitis, asthma or pneumonia.

My dog is coughing – could it be Kennel Cough?

Most dogs will cough from time to time but if a cough comes on suddenly and is persistent or severe, you should contact your vet, as it may be related to something serious. For example, coughing is a common symptom of a collapsing windpipe as well as heart disease, chronic bronchitis and heartworm disease. If your dog has a persistent, hacking cough that sounds like they’re choking they may be suffering from kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis. It results from inflammation of the throat, lungs and airways and is caused by various viruses and bacteria. While highly contagious, the condition is, in most cases, not serious and will improve on its own within a few weeks. There are exceptions to this, however, and owners of elderly dogs, puppies and dogs with underlying health issues should monitor the condition closely as it can develop into pneumonia.

• Apart from your dog coughing, the infection is unlikely to make them feel ill
• Kennel cough has an incubation period of two to 14 days
• A kennel cough vaccine is available and is often required for a stay in kennels where the highly-contagious infection can spread easily

Coughing is something that can be commonly encountered in canines, but it can be very worrying for owners.  If your dog is coughing, it is important that you take him or her to your vet for an examination.  There is a long list of causes of coughs, some of which are more serious than others, so careful history taking and examination by the vet are needed to decide if further investigations and possible treatment are required (looking for heart and lung problems or other non-infectious airway disease).  However, the most common cause of a dog developing a sudden onset cough is an upper airway infection known as ‘kennel cough’.

What are the first signs of kennel cough?

Kennel cough causes a persistent, non-productive cough that may sound as if something is caught in your pet's throat and they are gagging or trying to clear their throat. Others describe it as a deep honking cough. Symptoms usually develop three to ten days after exposure to an infected animal.

Kennel cough symptoms — mild infection

• Dry, persistent, hacking cough
• Retching and gagging
• Runny nose
• Eye discharge
• Sneezing

Severe infection

• Loss of appetite
• Listlessness
• Fever
• Pussy discharge from the nose
• Chesty cough that produces phlegm

What does a dog coughing sound like?

The most obvious symptom of kennel cough is a forceful, hacking cough, which will often sound like your dog has something stuck in their throat. The cough can be dry and hoarse or productive, in which case it can be followed by a gag, swallowing motion or the production of mucus. It is distinct from a cough-like sound known as reverse sneezing, which is common in certain breeds and is triggered by irritation in the throat. This sound can often be mistaken for a cough, choking fit, sneezing, retching or gasping for breath.

What are the effects of Kennel Cough?

Dogs with kennel cough usually develop a hacking cough (often sounding as though there is something stuck in the dog’s throat), and the cough may be productive – i.e. affected animals will sometimes cough up white froth.  The condition usually comes on quite quickly, and although affected dogs may not have been in kennels they will usually have been socialising with other dogs in the previous few days.  The cough may worsen with exercise and also when affected animals pull on the lead.  Dogs with kennel cough are often bright or just a bit off colour, but they can have a temperature and may become really poorly. When coughing dogs are being examined by the vet, he or she, will usually give a gentle ‘pinch’ to the trachea (airway) which often causes patients with the condition to cough.

How do dogs catch kennel cough?

Dogs catch kennel cough through contact with another infected animal or by inhaling the spray of an infected dog’s cough. They can also catch it by eating and drinking from or even licking an infected bowl or toy. Kennel cough is airborne and highly contagious, which is why it can spread through kennels quickly. It is also transmitted with bacteria on toys, food bowls or other shared objects. A dog’s respiratory system is designed to protect against the invasion of infection, but certain situations and environments leave them more vulnerable to illness. These include stress caused by crowded environments, exposure to heavy dust or cigarette smoke, cold temperatures and poor ventilation. Kennel cough has an incubation period of two to 14 days, and some dogs can be carriers of the infection for months without developing symptoms.

What to do if your dog is showing symptoms?

Kennel cough in dogs is not normally life-threatening so, in most cases, emergency treatment is not required. But it can, occasionally, progress to something more serious so be sure to keep a close eye on your dog. Call your daytime vet for advice if you’re worried. You should always contact your vet or, out of hour’s team, if dog or puppy starts showing any of the more severe signs, such as fever, nasal discharge, lack of appetite or lethargy.

I want to take my coughing dog to the vet – what should I do?

When you book your dog in for an appointment, please let the receptionist know that your dog is coughing and keep him or her outside until the vet comes to call you – kennel cough is infectious and you don’t want to put our other patients (some of whom can be very ill) at risk.  If you just report to reception to let them know you are there and that you are not taking your dog in just in case it is Kennel Cough, they will understand.

How is it diagnosed?

There’s no specific test for kennel cough but you should get a fair idea of whether your dog has the illness from the symptoms they’re showing (persistent, forceful cough but otherwise active and normal).   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. If your vet asks you to bring your dog into the clinic, it’s likely they will carry out a physical examination to try to rule out other potential causes of your dog’s 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.  Tests, such as x-rays, ultrasound and blood tests, may be carried out if there are concerns over the severity of the infection. 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.

Kennel cough treatment

Treatment depends on severity and individual circumstances.  Kennel cough is usually self-limiting, so not all affected dogs need treatment.  Anti-inflammatory drugs will often be given to provide some relief.  Cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories can also be given to make your pet a bit more comfortable as they make a natural recovery. Occasionally, antibiotics will be used but these are reserved for more ill patients or those who may be at particular risk.  This approach is in line with that of the human medical profession who are trying to prevent the overuse of antibiotics which may lead to the development of strains of infection which are resistant to antibiotics.   In more serious cases, vets may prescribe cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories. Antibiotics will only ever be used if the infection is severe and is caused by a bacteria such as bordetella bronchiseptica. To aid recovery, make sure your home is well ventilated and avoid using a collar and lead, as any pulling might aggravate the wind pipe further – a harness is a better option on walks. For the first week or so you may need to restrict your dog’s exercise, as running about and using a lead can aggravate the cough.  In addition you will need to prevent socialisation with other dogs for a few weeks, as affected dogs can remain infectious for several weeks, even once the coughing has subsided.   As long as your dog is fed a healthy diet and living in an environment that’s clean, well ventilated and not too cold, they should recover from the condition within three weeks. Very occasionally there are longer term problems after kennel cough, so please do keep in touch with your vet if you think your dog is not improving as expected.

How long does kennel cough last?

The incubation period for the illness — that’s the time from the moment of exposure to signs of it appearing — can be anything from two days to two weeks and dogs are typically sick for between one and three weeks. But symptoms can sometimes linger for up to six weeks.

How long should a dog with kennel cough be isolated?

Veterinarians recommend that any dog that is suspected of having kennel cough be isolated from other dogs for 14 days.

Can I walk my dog when it has Kennel Cough?

As Kennel Cough is highly contagious and is most commonly caught in parks and other popular dog walking areas, it is recommended that to prevent further spread in your area that you do not walk your dog in public places for a few weeks even after the cough has subsided as just like the human cold it is airborne and can be spread via contact with contaminated surfaces.

Prevention advice

Some of the infections that can cause kennel cough are included in the basic vaccinations dogs need to have as a puppy, and subsequent boosters. These are canine adenovirus type two, canine parainfluenza virus, canine distemper, and canine influenza. The nasal vaccine for Bordetella bronchiseptica can be given when your dog is as young as three weeks, with it providing protection for about 12 months. It takes four days for it to become effective, and is considered the fastest method of providing immunity.  The vaccine is administered by squirting it up the nose, so there are no injections, but some dogs find this unpleasant (or at least a surprise!) but it isn’t included in the routine vaccines your dog gets as a puppy or in their regular booster shots. You should speak to your vet about whether you need to safeguard your dog from the illness and about the vaccine cost. However, as there are many strains of the infection, it cannot guarantee protection – but at the very least should lessen symptoms. Vaccination is not useful in dogs already incubating kennel cough.  There is a vaccine against kennel cough which we offer, although it is not part of our routine vaccine regime.    The vaccine lasts for a year.  It does not completely prevent the possibility of a dog developing an infectious cough, but it does reduce the chances that any such infection will be serious. Most dogs that go to kennels are required to have the kennel cough vaccine and vets would recommend it for dogs going into kennels, even if the kennels do not insist on it.  The kennel cough vaccine is also a good idea if your dog regularly socialises or attends classes where he or she has close contact with other dogs.  Unfortunately, the friendlier the dog, the more likely he or she is to pick it up! Other prevention advice is based mainly on common sense. For example, owners should ensure their dogs live in a low-stress environment that’s comfortable and well ventilated and are fed a high-quality balanced diet.

When should you think about vaccinating your dog against kennel cough?

The Kennel Cough vaccine isn’t considered a ‘core vaccine’. This means it isn’t included in the vaccines your dog gets as a puppy or in their regular booster shots. It isn’t recommended to get your dog vaccinated against kennel cough each year unless they’re at a high risk of catching it. The vaccination might be recommended by your vet if:

• Your dog is regularly walked in areas where lots of other dogs are walked.
• Your dog will be staying in a boarding kennel. Most boarding kennels require dogs staying with them to be vaccinated against Kennel Cough, as the infection can spread very quickly in this environment.

Your vet can discuss with you whether a Kennel Cough vaccination is a good idea for your dog.

To prevent exposure or to lessen the impact, follow these guidelines:

• Keep your dog at home, away from other dogs and dog owners.
• Wash your hands and change your clothes before seeing another dog to reduce risk of transmission.
• Schedule an appointment to see your veterinarian.

Other FAQ

Does my dog need to have been in kennels to get Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is not a very good name for the condition because the dog need not have been in kennels to catch it.  In fact, kennel cough is not caused by just one type of infectious agent – it is a general term for any contagious upper respiratory tract infection.  There may also be more than one infectious type of ‘bug’ involved at a time.  The most common causes of kennel cough are a bacteria called Bordetella and a virus called Parainfluenza.

Is kennel cough airborne?

Viral and bacterial causes of canine cough are spread through airborne droplets produced by sneezing and coughing. These agents also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces.

Can my dog get kennel cough more than once?

Yes. There are many different strains of kennel cough – as there are among common colds in humans – so your dog can catch the infection multiple times. But if your dog has contracted the Bordetella bronchiseptica strain, he or she will typically be immune to reinfection for six to 12 months.

Does kennel cough cause vomiting?

The signs of kennel cough can vary greatly. The most common symptom is a hacking cough. It may sound as if your dog is trying to clear something from her throat. Sometimes the coughing causes retching or the vomiting of fluid, and is often worsened when your pooch becomes excited or active.

Is kennel cough contagious to humans?

Kennel cough is not unlike the common cold amongst humans, but as any vet will tell you this upper respiratory infection is classified as a virus and bacterial infection. It is also highly contagious, especially among unvaccinated dogs, senior dogs and puppies.

Some things you can do at home to help a dog that has kennel cough

• Use a humidifier. This can provide some relief for those irritated lungs.
• Keep your dog away from smoke. If your dog is suffering from Canine Kennel Cough, keep him away from campfires and bonfires.
• Use a harness. When taking your dog out for walks, use a harness instead of a collar.
• Create a stress-free environment.

How can I soothe my dogs cough?

Placing a humidifier near your dog's primary area of rest can help to moisten its irritated respiratory passages brought on by the kennel cough. Steam therapy works as well and can be accomplished by placing your dog in a small bathroom while running a hot shower to fill the air with moistened air particles.

Is Honey OK for dogs?

Honey is a great natural treatment that helps soothe the throat. Raw Honey also has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties. A 30 to 50 lbs dog can be given about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey three to four times a day.  Use slightly less if any signs of loose stool occur. Honey is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. Sugars can also cause tooth decay, so it might be a good idea to brush your dog's teeth if you do feed him honey. Raw honey should not be fed to puppies or dogs with compromised immune systems, as it may contain the presence of botulism spores.  Do not give to dogs that are diabetic.

Information is sourced from Vets Now, PDSA, Blue Cross and Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service