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