Kennel Cough in Dogs: Symptoms to Watch Out For!
Flu and colds are common. Not only for us, but also our dogs can be affected. Kennel cough is a common ailment in dogs year-round but increases during the autumn and winter months.
Symptoms of kennel cough to know
Kennel cough is actually a collective term for several different respiratory infections that cause the dog to cough or hack a lot and strenuously. The dog can also have coughing fits and eventually vomit up mucus. Most of the time, the dog is not very affected otherwise but should still be monitored.
Kennel cough: how it spreads
Kennel cough is extremely contagious. It spreads through direct contact between dogs but also through objects, shared water bowls, or if the dog sniffs something a infected dog has sniffed before.
How to reduce the spread of kennel cough
4-10 days after the dog is infected, symptoms break out. Unfortunately, the dog is still contagious during this period, which exacerbates the spread of infection. You should always keep your dog away from other dogs, dog parks, or dog-friendly walking paths if you suspect your dog has kennel cough.
Monitoring dogs for kennel cough
Kennel cough is rarely something that is treated. The dog usually recovers after one or two weeks. During that time, make sure your dog eats and drinks well and gets plenty of rest. Take the temperature occasionally to make sure your dog does not have a fever. If your dog has a fever, difficulty breathing, or is not recovering, contact your veterinarian and schedule an examination. Prepare your dog for a vet visit with tips from our article Preparing Your Dog for a Vet Visit.
Recovery tips for kennel cough
Do not overexert your dog when sick, take short walks, and focus on recovery. If your dog is very bothered, it may be kind to replace the collar with a harness to reduce pressure on the trachea, which can be irritated. Pressure can cause unnecessary coughing fits. If your dog seems to have a sore throat, wetting the dry food can help. It is important that your dog eats and drinks properly.
Is vaccination against kennel cough necessary?
Unfortunately, dogs do not become immune to kennel cough after having it. However, it is possible to vaccinate the dog against two pathogens that cause the ailment. However, there are several pathogens, which means that vaccination is not a guaranteed protection, and your dog may still get sick. If your dog goes to doggy daycare, spends a lot of time at the dog club, competition grounds, or has a rich social life, vaccination may still be a good choice.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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