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Name
Kennel Cough, Canine
Short Description
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis
Affected Animals: Dogs.
Overview:
Many owners are familiar with the harsh, dry,
"goose honking" sound associated with kennel cough. Infectious
tracheobronchitis, or kennel cough, is a term that is used to
describe a common, very contagious respiratory disease of dogs in
which there is inflammation of the upper respiratory passages, and
occasionally the lower airways such as the lungs. Viruses, bacteria,
or a combination of the two can cause kennel cough.
Despite the loud, frequent coughing, kennel cough will often go away
on its own if the dog's immune system is healthy and strong.
However, in severely affected puppies and debilitated older animals,
kennel cough can be life threatening if it goes untreated. Pneumonia
can be a complication of the disease. Fortunately, vaccines are
available that will help protect the animal from this disease.
Clinical Signs: Clinical signs include a persistent, harsh, dry
cough, with some gagging and retching that is made worse by
exercise, excitement, or pressure on the neck by a collar. More
severe infection can lead to a fever, anorexia, nasal discharge,
depression, lethargy, dyspnea, and a moist, productive cough. Some
dogs develop pneumonia and consolidation of the lung lobes.
Symptoms: Dogs with kennel cough are generally healthy, but
they will have a persistent cough that is made worse by exercise,
excitement, or pressure on the neck by a collar. Common symptoms
include a harsh, dry cough with some gagging and retching. More
severe infection can lead to a fever, loss of appetite, a runny
nose, depression, listlessness, difficulty breathing, and a
phlegm-producing cough. Some dogs with severe cases will develop
pneumonia. These animals are very sick and need medical attention or
they can die very quickly.
Description:
Caused by both viruses such as canine
parainfluenza or canine adenovirus 2, and bacteria such as
Bordetella bronchiseptica or Mycoplasma, kennel cough is a very
contagious respiratory disease that results in inflammation of the
larynx, trachea or windpipe, bronchi, and, in severe cases, the
lower airways such as the lungs.
Despite the loud, hard, persistent coughing, the inflammation is
often mild. When a healthy dog gets kennel cough, its immune system
is usually strong enough to kill off the disease without much
medical intervention. However, among puppies and debilitated older
animals, kennel cough can lead to severe problems, such as secondary
bacterial infections and pneumonia.
In rare cases, there is a chance that a child or an adult with a
weak immune system could acquire Bordetella bronchiseptica from an
infected dog that is secreting the bacteria. This condition has been
referred to as human bordetellosis.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, the dog's
vaccination status, and an assessment of whether the dog has had
contact with other potentially infected animals through areas where
groups of dogs are housed, such as boarding facilities, obedience
training classes, and dog shows. Pressing or gently palpating the
windpipe of a dog with kennel cough will usually produce a harsh,
dry, "goose honking" cough. Dogs who have a more severe infection
may need to have their blood drawn for a complete blood count, or
CBC, so that the veterinarian can look for any changes in the red
blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Many times, the white
blood cell numbers will be higher than normal if there is an
infection. If pneumonia is suspected chest x-rays will be able to
show any signs of lung disease.
Prognosis: The prognosis for mild kennel cough is excellent;
symptoms will usually disappear within two weeks. If the dog
develops severe kennel cough and pneumonia results, the prospect of
a full recovery is less certain; in these cases, symptoms can
continue for up to seven weeks and severe illness or possibly even
death may result.
Transmission or Cause: Kennel cough, a highly contagious disease, is
passed on when a dog with the illness coughs, sneezes, or expels any
saliva or other respiratory secretions into the air. Dogs that are
housed together in kennels or groups typically perpetuate the spread
of the disease. Affected animals that are coughing should be kept in
isolation.
Treatment: The examining veterinarian will determine the
best treatment for the dog, since many medications are available.
Most often, however, kennel cough can be treated by antibiotics,
which destroy any bacteria that are causing infections in the
respiratory system. An antibiotic will not kill a virus, but it will
kill the bacterial infections that may occur alone or secondary to
the virus. Although not recommended for dogs that have a productive
cough, cough suppressants are often very beneficial to dogs that
have a persistent, dry, hacking cough and are not trying to cough up
mucus and fluid. In addition, vaporizers can promote healing by
keeping the dog's respiratory tissues moist. Dogs with kennel cough
should drink plenty of water to help prevent dehydration.
Restriction of exercise will help decrease the irritation of the
airways.
Prevention: A vaccine is available that helps the dog's body
develop immunity to the different viruses and bacteria that commonly
cause kennel cough. There is an intranasal vaccine that provides
excellent local protection against the disease in the nose, mouth,
and throat. This vaccine needs to be given at least three days
before a dog is housed in an animal group facility, and should be
repeated in dogs at risk every six to 10 months. In addition,
another vaccine, given as an injection under the dog's skin, can be
used as a yearly booster. Proper nutrition and routine de-worming
also will help keep the animal healthy so its immune system is
strong enough to fight off disease. To decrease the spread of the
disease, kennel personnel should ensure that dogs with a persistent
cough are kept in isolation.
