Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis or Kennel Cough, is an acute respiratory disease that can affect dogs of all ages. It tends to be more severe in puppies aged between six weeks and six months. The infection can be caused by various pathogens, including viruses and bacteria. Dogs living in close quarters or already experiencing respiratory issues are at a higher risk of infection.

Kennel Cough in Dogs: Pathogens

Kennel cough is highly contagious and involves any type of infectious upper respiratory disease. Both viruses and bacteria can be the cause, affecting dogs of all breeds and ages.

The severity of the disease depends on the dog’s immune system status and the pathogens involved. Puppies are more vulnerable due to their developing immune systems. Dogs with pre-existing respiratory issues are more susceptible to the entry of pathogens.

Viruses that may be involved in the kennel cough complex include:

After viral pathogens damage the respiratory tract cells, bacteria can attach, exacerbating the disease and leading to additional symptoms.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterial pathogen that causes symptoms of infectious tracheobronchitis without requiring a prior infection with other pathogens. The bacterium affects ciliated epithelial cells, leading to reduced airway clearance.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough

Dogs infected with kennel cough pathogens exhibit typical symptoms of an acute respiratory infection. Depending on the severity of the respiratory tract damage, mild to severe cases can occur.

The age of the dog, pre-existing conditions, immune defenses, living conditions, and the specific pathogens involved are crucial factors. Usually, symptoms appear four to seven days after infection.

Common signs of kennel cough include:

Excitement, exertion through training or walks, or pressure on the trachea (such as pulling on the collar or palpating the neck) can trigger or worsen symptoms.

As kennel cough can quickly spread in a dog population, affected animals should be isolated from other dogs. Dogs recovering from kennel cough should avoid exertion for at least one week to prevent further irritation of the respiratory tract.

Mild infections in otherwise healthy dogs are usually self-limiting, with symptoms disappearing without treatment after 10-14 days. However, it’s important to note that even after recovery, pathogens like Bordetella can persist in the airways for up to three months, posing an ongoing infection risk for other dogs.

Severe cases of infectious tracheobronchitis require treatment. The duration of the disease with therapy often ranges from two to six weeks. If pneumonia occurs or pathogens spread uncontrollably in the dog’s body, the disease can be fatal.

Treatment Options for Kennel Cough

Diagnosing kennel cough is based on clinical symptoms. In many cases, a stay in a kennel or dog boarding facility or attendance at a dog show precedes the illness, strengthening suspicions. If symptoms worsen or complications arise, further examinations are necessary.

These may include blood tests, chest X-rays, specific tests for antibodies and pathogens, or bronchoscopy with sample collection.

Therapy for Mild and Severe Cases

In most cases, kennel cough has a mild course without further complications. The disease is self-limiting, and symptoms disappear without treatment after one to two weeks.

For dogs with severe coughing, cough suppressants (antitussives) can be given, but not for productive coughing. Antibiotics are not indicated for mild infections. The dog should be kept calm for the duration of the illness, and adequate fluid intake should be ensured.

In rare cases, kennel cough can lead to complications. Symptoms worsen, or additional symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, or vomiting occur, indicating the spread of pathogens and involvement of other organ systems.

Treatment involves antibiotics (such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, doxycycline, or gentamicin), bronchodilators, and fluid replacement. Additional medications may be used depending on the symptoms.

In severe cases involving the lower respiratory tract (such as pneumonia), hospitalization may be necessary.

Prevention: Protecting Dogs from Kennel Cough

Various measures are available to protect dogs from severe kennel cough. Prevention involves strengthening the dog’s immune system. High-quality nutrition, sufficient exercise, stress avoidance, and good hygiene support the immune system and reduce the risk of infection.

Additionally, sources of infection (dogs that have been in a pet boarding facility, veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or kennel) should be avoided if possible. Since dogs in kennels and breeding facilities are more at risk than singly housed dogs, hygiene and regular disinfection of bowls, etc., should be prioritized in such group settings. Frequent ventilation, good air circulation, and appropriate humidity levels reduce the risk of disease spread.

If dogs are infected with kennel cough, there should be a way to isolate them to protect other animals from infection.

Available Vaccines:

Vaccines against some agents of the kennel cough complex are available. Immunization against canine distemper virus starts from the eighth week with the so-called core vaccines, which every dog should receive. Vaccination against infectious canine hepatitis (ICH, contagious hepatitis) also covers canine adenoviruses.

Injectable or intranasal preparations are available against parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica. They are applied to dogs before potential exposure to the pathogens. Additionally, vaccination against canine herpesvirus is recommended for breeding bitches.

In addition to mandatory vaccinations, an individual vaccination program for each dog should be established by the veterinarian. This program should be based on the infection risk the dog faces.