Kennel Cough in Working Dogs

Written by Bas van Luijk, Veterinarian at East Coast Farm Vets

---

Kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection, is a significant concern among dog owners, especially for dog trial enthusiasts.

Also known as Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis, kennel cough easily spreads from dog to dog, inducing inflammation, often associated with swelling and itching of the upper respiratory system.

Dogs with kennel cough typically exhibit a persistent, dry, hacking cough due to the itchiness.

They may cough or retch to remove the sensation, especially after exercise or excitement when they are breathing faster. It may appear or sound like the dog has something caught in the back of their throat.

The retching can sometimes be so strong that it produces a yellowish frothy liquid on the floor. Occasionally, the inflammation includes the sinuses or nostrils, leading to vigorous sneezing. Other clinical signs of the disease can include ocular discharge, depression, and a slightly elevated temperature. The cough generally starts around 3-10 days after exposure. Some dogs can be carriers for months without exhibiting symptoms.

Kennel cough is caused by a multitude of bacteria and viruses, not all of which can be covered by vaccines. The primary infectious agents are the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica and the viruses Parainfluenza and Adenovirus-2. Bordetella bronchiseptica is regarded as the principal causative agent and is closely related to Bordetella pertussis, the cause of whooping cough in people.

Most often, dogs with kennel cough can also become listless and less interested in eating for a few days. In most cases, the dog will fight off the infection by itself in a few days and return to normal. However, it's important to rest the dog until fully recovered, preventing the infection from progressing into the lungs with potentially severe consequences.

In rare instances, the symptoms may persist and worsen, leading to broncho-pneumonia. These symptoms may include wheezing breath, cloudy discharge from the nostrils or eyes and refusal to eat. Quick veterinary attention is essential in such situations.

Unvaccinated dogs can be affected, and even some vaccinated dogs are getting mild doses of the disease. This is likely because there are numerous suspected infectious agents that can cause kennel cough, and vaccines are only available for the most common ones.

Prevention remains the key. Different vaccines are available, with the intranasal version considered superior. Consult your vet for the best vaccination program for your dogs.