Kennel Cough: The Facts, The Fiction and The Confusion!

What is Kennel Cough?
‘Kennel Cough’ is the name given to an infectious tracheobronchitis in dogs (an infectious cough). Lots of different viruses and bacteria can cause the infection.
 
What signs will I see if my dog has kennel cough?
A hacking, forceful cough is the most common sign of Kennel Cough. This cough can sometimes produce a gagging or retch and occasionally mucus. It can be a dry or a productive cough. A lot of people think, a dog with kennel cough has something stuck in his or her throat, as the cough can be so dramatic! In most cases, your dog will appear healthy other than a nasty cough but sometimes they may have other signs such as runny nose, sneezing or discharge from the eyes.
 
How does my dog catch it? Is it not just something they get in kennels?
Absolutely not! Kennels are probably the safest place for your dog. Most kennel facilities will require all dogs to have had the kennel cough vaccine, therefore reducing the risk! It’s quite a misleading name but ‘infectious tracheobronchitis’ is not quite as catchy as ‘kennel cough’. Kennel cough is an airborne infection and highly contagious, which is why it can spread through kennels quickly and the name ‘kennel cough’ caught on. It is also transmitted with bacteria on toys, food bowls or other shared objects and surfaces in parks and woodland. Your dog, theoretically, could catch it from anywhere other dogs have been. It is similar to the common cold in people. Direct contact with another dog is not necessarily needed! We also tend to see an increase in infections (anecdotally) around times of school holidays. More people travel with their dogs round the country spreading and mixing infections.
 
Is it dangerous?
Although it can be a nuisance, kennel cough is not normally dangerous and often needs no treatment at all, other than rest and TLC. In puppies, elderly dogs or those with existing illnesses, the condition can be more serious and can develop into pneumonia. Depending on the bugs which have caused the infection, some strains of Kennel cough can also be more severe than others and may need medical treatment.
 
How is it diagnosed?
There is no single test to diagnose kennel cough. If your dog has symptoms and has been exposed to a crowd of other pooches within the incubation period, this is often enough to diagnose them with kennel cough, in combination with a clinical exam. Swabs can be taken to determine the exact virus or bacteria causing kennel cough but this isn’t always useful for treatment. If there are any suspected complications further tests can be performed to fully assess your dog’s condition.
If your dog is bright, perky, eating well and playful, you may not need to visit the vet. It’s always a good idea to phone for advice if you are worried. In general, it's a good idea to keep your dog away from other dogs while they are coughing.
 
What’s the treatment?
In most cases, dogs will recover from kennel cough without treatment usually within three weeks, but it can hang around for up to six weeks. To aid recovery, make sure your home is well ventilated and avoid using a collar and lead, as any pulling might aggravate the throat further – a harness is a better option on walks. Rest, TLC and keeping your dog as calm as possible can also speed up recovery and not aggravate their throat. In some cases, antibiotics can kill the Bordetella bacteria which is the most common bug present in kennel cough cases. Cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories can also be given to make your pet a bit more comfortable, as they make a natural recovery.
 
Can they catch it more than once?
Yes. There are many different strains of kennel cough (just the same as common colds in humans), so your dog can catch an infection causing kennel cough multiple times. If your dog has contracted the Bordetella bronchiseptica strain, he or she will typically be immune to reinfection for six to 12 months for this particular bug.
 
Should I vaccinate my dog for Kennel Cough?
Some of the infections that can cause kennel cough are included in the basic vaccinations dogs have as a puppy (and subsequent boosters). These are canine adenovirus type two, canine parainfluenza virus, canine distemper, and canine influenza. So your dog will have some protection already to prevent a Kennel Cough infection.
The most common bacteria present in kennel cough is Bordetella bronchiseptica and this is the infection that commonly requires antibiotic treatment. This infection can be given as a separate vaccine (a nasal live vaccine). However, as there are many strains of the infection, the vaccine cannot guarantee protection from any infectious cough but at the very least should lessen symptoms.
It is worth bearing in mind that vaccination is not useful in dogs already incubating kennel cough.
The nasal vaccine for Bordetella bronchiseptica can be given when your dog is as young as three weeks and it provides protection for about 12 months (this nasal vaccine also includes Parainfluenza protection). It takes four days for the bacterial part of it to become effective and about 3 weeks for the viral part. The vaccine is considered the fastest method of providing immunity, protecting your pooch and lessening any symptoms if they are unlucky enough to catch Kennel Cough.
Although protection is not guaranteed, many boarding kennels, doggy day care and dog walkers require dogs, staying with them, to have the Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine.
As the vaccine is a live bacterial vaccination, this can have some considerations for people that are immunocompromised. Please ask us about this if it applies to you or your family.
 
Can Robin’s Nest Vets give my dogs Kennel Cough vaccine at home?
Yes, absolutely. We can do a visit for you at home, for a full clinical examination and Kennel Cough vaccination for your dog. Remember we offer multi-pet discounts too. You can get £10 off all subsequent pets, if their appointment is in the same visit. If we give your dog’s kennel cough vaccine at the same time as their annual booster, then the Kennel cough vaccine is half price!