KENNEL COUGH

Just as with the human cold, this respiratory-tract infection, (more technically known as Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis) is easily transmitted from one dog to another. This term focuses on the most common clinical sign, coughing, to the trachea (wind pipe) and bronchi (within the lungs).

Caused by various airborne bacteria and viruses, including Canine Parainfluenza virus, Canine Adenovirus Type II and Bordetella bronchiseptica signs will vary with each dog. You may notice a dry, hacking cough, but other symptoms include discharge from the eyes and nose, swollen tonsils, wheezing, lack of appetite and lethargy. Although coughing is usually mild, it may persist for several weeks. A contagious dog may not be coughing or symptomatic.

There are no specific treatments for the viruses involved. No drugs will kill them, so they must run their course, which may take 2-3 weeks. Antibiotics are useful against bacteria involved, although some resistance to antibiotics has occurred. Cough suppressants may be prescribed by the veterinarian to break the self-perpetuating cycle of coughing that occurs.

Bordetella vaccination is performed either by injection or via the intranasal route. The latter means that the vaccination is dropped into the nostrils. This permits immunity to develop in the membranes of the nose and throat where the viruses and bacteria enter. Parainfluenza vaccine is generally included in the DAP combination injection.

No vaccine is 100%, and immunity after natural infection with respiratory viruses like parainfluenza or bacteria like bordetella is neither solid nor long lasting. If your dog visits boarding kennels, grooming facilities, parks, campgrounds, animal shelters, canine adoption facilities or just travels with you a lot, there is a vaccination available to help guard against the parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. This should be administered to puppies as part of their vaccine protocol, and needs a booster given about 3 weeks after the first bordetella vaccine. Adult dogs should get a booster as part of their annual exam and vaccinations.