Even dogs are not immune to coughing, which is often not a problem.
But if a dog suffers from kennel cough, things look very different.
In the following guide you will find out everything about Kennel cough (parainfluenza) in dogshow you can recognize it and what causes and treatments there are.
What is kennel cough in dogs?
Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract, which can subsequently spread to the lower respiratory tract.
But why the strange name? Kennel cough is a disease that dogs that live in close proximity to each other, such as in a kennel, are particularly susceptible to.
This parainfluenza occurs much less frequently in dogs kept alone.
Unfortunately, that does not mean that a dog from the animal shelter cannot be infected with the virus or bacteria.
Kennel cough in dogs is known by two other names: Parainfluenza and infectious tracheabronchitis.
Good to know
In English, kennel cough is referred to as kennel cough. In addition to the two technical terms mentioned, it is also known here as dog flu.
What are the causes of kennel cough in dogs?
One cause – or actually two – of kennel cough in dogs are viruses or bacteria.
The following viruses and bacteria are considered the main triggers of canine parainfluenza:
bacteria
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- pseudomonads
- mycoplasma
- Klebsiella
viruses
- reoviruses
- Influenza A virus
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Canine adenovirus (CadV 2)
- Canine Herpesvirus (CaHV 1)
- Canine parainfluenza virus (CPiV 2)
- Canine respiratory coronavirus (CrCoV)
Since these pathogens are usually transmitted by droplet infection, dogs in multi-dog households or animal shelters as well as at dog shows are more affected.
Good to know
For example, if a dog has drunk contaminated water or played with an infected toy, it may have contracted kennel cough.
Incidentally, an infection is not always automatically linked to kennel cough.
In most cases, an outbreak of infectious tracheabronchitis depends on other factors.
These include, on the one hand, the humidity – the higher, the higher the risk of outbreaks – and the general health of the dog.
Puppies and older dogs in particular, as well as furry friends with a weakened immune system, are particularly at risk of developing kennel cough.
Recognizing kennel cough in dogs correctly
You can recognize kennel cough in dogs by one of the following loud, barking cough. This can sometimes be so severe that the dog is shaken by cramps.
Other signs you can use to identify kennel cough in dogs include breathing difficulties and even conjunctivitis as a result.
Dogs suffering from canine parainfluenza often exhibit nasal discharge.
Especially when it comes to coughing, you should already have reached the first alert level. If it is still dry and hard, kennel cough is still in the early stages.
Kennel cough becomes much more serious when the cough is already accompanied by phlegm and/or mucous sputum.
Here it is possible that the pathogen has already settled in the bronchi and lungs – in the worst case, the dog already has pneumonia.
You can also recognize possible signs of kennel cough in dogs by these symptoms:
- Fever
- loss of appetite
- exhaustion
If a dog has kennel cough, it can get it again.
Unfortunately, the dog’s body does not form any corresponding antibodies or immunity here.
Treatment and therapy of kennel cough in dogs
Rapid treatment or therapy for kennel cough in dogs is extremely important – so drive take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Incidentally, this always applies if you notice that your dog is suffering from pain or symptoms simply have not subsided even after a few days.
please drive take your dog to the vet as soon as possiblewhen you notice that he is suffering from a strong and (still) dry cough.
Treatment
If mucus has already settled in the bronchi and lungs as a result of kennel cough disease, treatment is carried out with an expectorant drug, among other things.
Such a drug often contains the active ingredient bromhexine, which liquefies and loosens the stubborn mucus.
In some cases, an antipyretic drug can also be given to help – for example meloxoral for dogs, which contains meloxicam.
If it is a bacterial kennel cough, antibiotics are also administered, in the case of conjunctivitis also in the form of antibiotic eye ointments.
What is the life expectancy of dogs with kennel cough?
The life expectancy of a dog with kennel cough depends on the severity of the disease.
If canine parainfluenza is recognized and treated in good time, the prognosis is good and so is life expectancy.
Precisely when the lungs are already affected, it is no longer possible to make any clear predictions.
Because pneumonia in dogs can drastically reduce life expectancy – and here the life of the furry nose really hangs by a thread.
How can you prevent kennel cough in dogs?
There is a very safe way to prevent some of the causes of kennel cough in dogs: a vaccination.
vaccination
This is possible in two variants. On the one hand there is a combined vaccination against the canine parainfluenza virus and the distemper-parvo-hepatitis virus.
Dogs can also be vaccinated against the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica.
These vaccinations make sense especially for dogs that are exposed to an increased risk of kennel cough.
strengthen your immune system
You can also prevent or counteract kennel cough in dogs with a strong immune system.
For this to work properly, the following things are very important for the dog:
- Little or preferably no stress
- Species-appropriate nutrition for a healthy intestine
In many cases, an immune-supporting preparation can help as a dietary supplement, such as Impromune for dogs.
hygiene
Maintaining a high level of hygiene can be another good way to prevent kennel cough in dogs.
Make sure water bowls and toys are regularly disinfected or changed at regular intervals.
Pay attention to humidity and temperature
Low humidity – ideally in combination with warmth and as little additional moisture as possible – can also help to prevent kennel cough in dogs.
homeopathy
Some homeopathic remedies can on the one hand strengthen the dog’s immune system and on the other hand help with a mild infection.
These include Aconite, Bryonia and Belladonna, each in concentration D6.
We hope your dog has never had kennel cough. If he does, we hope he’s recovered – and thanks for sharing your story in our comments.