| Canine cough or Kennel Cough is actually bronchitis, | | | | Treatment consists of an antibiotic therapy and cough |
| characterized by a harsh, hacking cough. The disease | | | | suppressants if the coughing remains non-productive, |
| is highly contagious, transmitted by air and wind | | | | as coughing can persist for up to three weeks after |
| currents contaminated by cough and sneeze droplets | | | | treatment with antibiotics. Injectable and intranasal |
| from infected canines. Kennel cough is actually a | | | | vaccinations are available, with the intranasal being |
| complex of infections, chief of which is Bordetella | | | | more effective, since it is applied directly to the |
| Bronchiseptice. | | | | respiratory system. It usually takes 4 days to generate |
| Bordetella is able to render the normal respiratory | | | | an immune response after the intranasal vaccination, |
| tracts safeguards against infections inoperable. It | | | | and vaccination is not useful in a dog that already has |
| disables the immune cells that normally destroy | | | | kennel cough. |
| bacteria. The incubation period is 2-14 days and is | | | | In general, kennel cough is self-limiting and is only |
| characterized by a non-productive hacking cough, and | | | | serious for very young puppies, especially if they have |
| more complicated cases involve a greenish eye and | | | | never been vaccinated and senior dogs that may |
| nasal discharge, obvious breathing difficulties, and | | | | have a weak immune system or already poor health. |
| possibly pneumonia if left untreated. | | | | Annual vaccinations are the best prevention of this |
| Diagnosis is usually based on the clinical signs already | | | | disease, but due to the many organisms involved, it |
| given, wit possible x-rays to determine the extent of | | | | may not give 100% protection. When in doubt always |
| lung and airway restriction and a bacterial culture may | | | | consult your Veterinarian as soon as possible. |
| be required in extreme cases to determine what other | | | | Always remember, if you have any questions about |
| viruses, if any, are present before treatment can begin. | | | | your dogs health, be sure to consult your veterinarian. |