There are three main causes of Kennel Cough:
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica: a bacteria and main agent of Kennel Cough which is usually acompanied with:
- Canine Parainfluenza-3: a virus that primarly causes Kennel Cough that infects respiratory tract. If not eliminated immediately can cause tracheobronchitis. Also main reason of distemper in dogs.
- Canine Adenovirus Type 2: a virus less common, can cause canine hepatitis. If mixed with Bordetella and Canine Parainfluenza-3 the intervention of a veterinarian is needed to prescribe certain drugs and antibiotics to fully clear your pet's system.
Symptoms:
- Hacking cough/sneezing
- Phlegm
- Fever
- Poor appetite
- Lack of energy/Lethargic
* in some cases dog might be only a host carrying bacteria and will not display any symptoms of illness.
Treatment:
Once your dog is infected, the incubation period is between 5-14 days. You will definitely know a sick dog when you see one. Dog usually have rapid onset of either sneezing, dry cough or coughing foamy mucus and deteriorates quickly. Although in most cases symptoms will go away on their own, Kennel Cough may need to be treated with cough suppressants [e.g. Benylin syrup] to provide comfort during natural recovery. Alternatively, depending on severity, antibiotics and cough suppressants can be combined.
There are always natural remedies for certain symptoms such as a runny nose. You should treat them only as aids before taking your pet to the vets. Try:
- Olbas oil inhalation, try few drops in hot bath and leave your dog in the bathroom when it's still humid/steamy for 5 minutes
- Salt water wash/spray
- Vit C, a super supplement that will aid recovery but don't overdo it as it can cause irritable bowel syndrome. [Max 500mg per 5kg of your dog's body weight]
- Raw honey will help ease painful throat, can be added to strong peppermint tea [administer few drops every hour to calm down the coughing]
Prevention:
- Injectable Vaccinations: Good for puppies and dogs hard to handle. Two doses need to be given in the space of 1 month. For puppies over age of 4 months. This should be followed by annual busters. Besides that, Parainfluenza, Adenovirus type 2, and canine distemper, all members of the Kennel Cough complex, are all covered by the standard DHLPP vaccine, the basic vaccine for all dogs.
- Intranasal vaccination: can be given as early as 3 weeks of age and immunity generally lasts around 10 months.This should be followed by annual busters.
As a general rule nasal vaccine provides faster immunity than injectable vaccine.
REMEMBER:There is a voice of controversy around vaccination against Kennel Cought. Some dogs, even previously vaccinated might not generate better immune systems that's why some vets might prefer to treat the virus when it strikes. Kennel Cough is a localised infection affecting respiratory tract which makes it difficult to be completely prevented by vaccination.
Every dog is different but the responsibility and choice of action lies with you, the owner.
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