What to Do About Kennel Cough | Dogs

By Martin.L.Willliams
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Dog kennel cough is named variously like canine cough, infectious tracheobronchitis and bordetellosis. Both bacteria and viruses have been found to cause dog kennel cough. It is a condition in which a dog's windpipe and upper bronchi are damaged and irritated due to the action of infectious microorganisms.

Nature Of Dog Kennel Cough

The lining of the windpipe and bronchi of a dog suffering from dog kennel cough are damaged by a bacterial and/or viral infection, exposing nerve endings which become irritated when air passes over them as the dog breathes in and out. This causes the primary symptom of the illness, a dry, coarse, hacking cough which the dog usually develops within about a week of the initial infection.

How Long Does Kennel Cough Last

The majority of dog kennel cough cases tend to be mild and aren't detrimental to the dog's overall well being. Typically it does not present a fever or cause loss of appetite; however the cough presents itself throughout the day with the dog coughing every few minutes. Most cases will clear within one to three weeks without using medication, though antibiotics can often speed the healing process.

How Does a Dog Get Kennel Cough

Dog kennel cough transmits much like the human cold. The germs that cause kennel cough is carried in the air and inhaled in the air by other dogs. This causes the infection. This is common especially in dogs that are susceptible to the microbes. Even though any dog anywhere can be affected by this disease, it is common when there are multiple dogs infected in a kennel.

What is the Best Thing to Do About Kennel Cough

The veterinarian usually prescribes cough-suppressing drugs for the relieving the annoying cough that characterizes the disease. While most of the dogs recover from kennel cough without medication, antibiotics may be prescribed occasionally to assist in recovering from the infection.

A dog that is not frequently in contact with other dogs already has a low chance of catching kennel cough. It is important to have the dog examined by a vet because symptoms similar to kennel cough are also caused by other serious respiratory diseases. In case of vaccination, the dog should be given the vaccine at least a few weeks before taking it to a dog show or out in the company of other dogs. Vaccinating the dog against infectious organisms may prevent dog kennel cough.

About the Author

Learn much concerning Bichon Health, kennel cough, and all concerning choosing and training Bichon's and other small dogs.

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