Canine Kennel Cough
Canine kennel cough is an airborne, highly contagious viral and bacterial infection.
Its severity is minimal and the infected dog can recover on its own within 1 to 2 weeks.
This infection, caused by bacteria known as Bordetella bronchiseptic, or a virus known as canine parainfluenza or a mycoplasma, can become life threatening if early treatment is not done.
Canine Kennel cough, which is easily transferred from one dog to another especially those put together in one kennel, has symptoms that include; a harsh dry frequent coughing and sneezing, that leads to the inflammation of the wind pipe, causing air to pass into the lungs resulting in bronchitis, hence the name Tracheobronchitis.
Dogs may throw up a white foamy discharge after cough, develop inflammation in the membrane lining the eye-a form of conjunctivitis and may suffer from rhinitis which is an inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane.
Initial diagnosis is usually done by physically feeling of the swollen trachea.
The dog is put on a cough suppressant and an antibiotic known as azithromycin which is very effective on mycoplasmal form of coughs.
While in secondary bacterial infection, the canine may feel depressed, feverish and may pass a yellowish discharge while sneezing.
Preventive tests such as blood tests and X-ray of the chest are usually carried out and treatment administered, without which can lead to severe pneumonia as well as canine distemper, both equally dangerous to the canine's life.
Usually, dogs not affected badly are still as active as ever and will still have their appetite.
Though canine kennel cough is caused by multiple organisms, and vaccination cannot give full protection, immunization is highly recommended and reducing exposure to other unfamiliar dogs and kennels.
Its severity is minimal and the infected dog can recover on its own within 1 to 2 weeks.
This infection, caused by bacteria known as Bordetella bronchiseptic, or a virus known as canine parainfluenza or a mycoplasma, can become life threatening if early treatment is not done.
Canine Kennel cough, which is easily transferred from one dog to another especially those put together in one kennel, has symptoms that include; a harsh dry frequent coughing and sneezing, that leads to the inflammation of the wind pipe, causing air to pass into the lungs resulting in bronchitis, hence the name Tracheobronchitis.
Dogs may throw up a white foamy discharge after cough, develop inflammation in the membrane lining the eye-a form of conjunctivitis and may suffer from rhinitis which is an inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane.
Initial diagnosis is usually done by physically feeling of the swollen trachea.
The dog is put on a cough suppressant and an antibiotic known as azithromycin which is very effective on mycoplasmal form of coughs.
While in secondary bacterial infection, the canine may feel depressed, feverish and may pass a yellowish discharge while sneezing.
Preventive tests such as blood tests and X-ray of the chest are usually carried out and treatment administered, without which can lead to severe pneumonia as well as canine distemper, both equally dangerous to the canine's life.
Usually, dogs not affected badly are still as active as ever and will still have their appetite.
Though canine kennel cough is caused by multiple organisms, and vaccination cannot give full protection, immunization is highly recommended and reducing exposure to other unfamiliar dogs and kennels.
