What Is Kennel Cough in Dogs?
Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a contagious inflammation of a dog's trachea and is "characterized by a harsh, hacking cough." It is "analogous to a chest cold in humans," according to marvistavet.com.
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Symptoms
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The main symptom of the illness is frequent coughing. The ailment is not typically accompanied by fever, a drop in appetite of general listlessness.
Length of Illness
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The symptoms of kennel cough normally last one to three weeks, according to thepetcenter.com.
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Causes
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Kennel cough generally is caused by organisms present in the air and is transmitted "in much the same way that human colds are transmitted," according to thepetcenter.com. The illness is so-named because it spreads easily when a number of dogs are confined together in close proximity, such as in a kennel.
Treatment
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A veterinarian may subscribe a cough suppressant for symptomatic relief. Occasionally, he may prescribe antibiotics if the dog is running a fever or has a persistent, severe cough.
Prevention
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Dogs can be vaccinated against kennel cough. However, if your dog is unlikely to be exposed to other dogs in a confined space, it may never contract the illness and a vaccination may be unnecessary.
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