The last two, along with bordetella, are bacteria. The others are viruses. Any dog exposed to one of these pathogens can be infected. However, a dog is much more likely to be infected in a moist, warm environment with poor ventilation and with repeated exposure, such as in a kennel or a shelter. It is very common for shelters to have to quarantine a whole section once an infectious cough breaks out because it spreads so easily and quickly.
Yet, even a simple exposure that occurs during a quick meeting at a dog park is enough to transmit the infection. Once a dog is exposed, it usually takes two or three days before he starts to show signs, but it can be up to 10 days. The one exception to this is canine distemper.
With distemper, it can take up to four weeks before signs are noted. The most common signs are typically mild and include a cough especially when pressure is applied to the trachea or windpipe , sneezing and eye discharge.
The cough can often sound like the dog is retching or it could be described as dry and hacking. In more severe infections, the dog can have a fever and may have trouble breathing. He will not be interested in eating and will appear to be very tired. The more severe signs tend to occur in unvaccinated dogs, dogs with weak immune systems, such as puppies or dogs with other illnesses, and with some of the different pathogens, such as canine influenza virus, canine distemper virus and streptococcus.
However, any of the infectious agents can lead to serious signs. It is impossible to know which agent is causing the cough based on clinical signs alone. Most veterinarians can diagnose CIRD based on clinical signs alone. However, they may take chest radiographs which is the technical name for X-rays to make sure that pneumonia is not present, as this circumstance would change the treatment.
In the case of a shelter or kennel outbreak, it is important to know the underlying cause because it will dictate what cleaning agents are necessary, how long quarantine should be, and if vaccine recommendations should be changed for that organization. To figure out what the causative agent is, a culture can be taken of the upper airway.
However, this typically requires sedation and only covers bacteria; it will not diagnose viruses. In the last five years, it has been more customary to do a swab of the nose and deep throat, and send out for polymerase chain reaction PCR tests to look for genetic material of the causative agent. These tests can test for everything, do not require sedation, and are relatively affordable compared to doing other tests for each individual organism.
The traditional treatment for a dog with a cough is starting antibiotics. Ideally, the antibiotic chosen is based on culture results, but often an antibiotic such as doxycycline is chosen, as it takes care of the more common bacterial causes of CIRD. There is controversy about when and if to start antibiotics, since most of the causes of CIRD are viruses, and therefore antibiotics do not directly treat them.
However, it is not uncommon for secondary bacterial infections to occur, especially in sensitive dogs such as puppies or dogs with weak immune systems. Antibiotics may prevent progression to more serious disease. Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis or canine cough, is the term used to describe a number of viral and bacterial infections that affect the bronchi, larynx and trachea.
This contagious respiratory disease can affect a dog at any stage of his life. The main symptom of the illness is a dry, hacking cough. There are several factors that can affect the duration of kennel cough. The length of time the dog is ill has much to do with the type of viral agent that gives the dog kennel cough. A healthy dog has the best chance of recovering quickly. Dogs with weak immune systems or other health conditions, such as a collapsing trachea, may be susceptible to secondary infections.
A young dog may fight off the infection easier than a more mature dog. However very young puppies are ill or have a weaker immune system can have a harder time with the disease, and unvaccinated puppies are particularly at risk of developing kennel cough. A dog may recover from some viral forms of the infection quickly without medication. However, he still may have a lingering bacterial infection that requires antibiotics to resolve it over an extended period.
Sometimes a secondary infection occurs, in addition to kennel cough, that results in a serious upper respiratory infection. A case of kennel cough with a secondary infection usually takes longer to resolve than one without complications. One of the best ways to help your dog get over kennel cough faster is to take them to a veterinarian right away.
After examining your dog, your veterinarian may take different measures depending on how mild or severe the case is. Your veterinarian may also suggest some home remedies you can use in addition to medications to help make your dog feel better:. Once a dog is exposed to the airborne infection, the pathogens invade the body and disrupt the normal function of the respiratory system. Over a three to 10 day incubation period, the pathogens temporarily destroy the protective cilia lining of the larynx, trachea and bronchi.
Without the protective lining, the pathogens may also move into the lungs and trigger a secondary infection in some dogs. It can be injected, used as a nasal mist, or taken orally. A vaccination will decrease also the chances that a dog develops pneumonia. Vaccination is given to fight against things like canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus. According to a vet, these are highly effective.
Even healthy dogs should consider vaccination. We recommend vaccination to any dog who gets groomed, goes to dog parks, or stays at boarding facilities. Puppies can get the vaccination as early as eight weeks old. Older or at-risk dogs can be vaccinated every six to twelve months. The evidence is slim. What we do know, is that humans can catch the Bordetella bacteria from other means and not just canines.
This is rare and largely specific to high-risk individuals. It is important to note that only very specific infections like rabies can be transmitted from dogs to humans. In summary, when a dog has kennel cough, keep them out of close quarters with other dogs. Minimize risk factors, avoid stress, and monitor your pup for symptoms or clinical signs of kennel cough. And keep an ear out for that honking cough. Everything you need to know about identifying and treating a staph infection in your pooch.
Everything you need to know about identifying, managing, and preventing osteoarthritis in your dog. When you click on our chosen products, we may receive a commission. Learn more. How long is kennel cough contagious? Table of Contents What is Kennel Cough? The essentials Kennel cough has a noticeably odd sound — A cough that sounds like a honk is the first sign. Kennel cough is highly contagious — Kennel cough bacteria spread in the air, making it especially easy for your pup to catch if exposed.
Your vet can help — The good news is, kennel cough is treatable with the help of a vet. Canine infectious tracheobronchitis or Kennel Cough as it more commonly known, is a common upper respiratory tract infection in dogs. Just like a human cold, it is caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses, and is highly contagious. The most common cause is a bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica. Less commonly, it can be caused by viruses such as parainfluenza.
Sometimes the virus is the initial cause, then the bacteria invade the airways and take advantage of the already damaged respiratory tract. In other cases, bacteria infect first, then the virus come along and do even more damage.
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