Canine Kennel Cough

Canine Kennel Cough is an important issue. Tracheobronchitis is a serious canine viral as well as bacterial infection. Kennel cough is a common ailment with dogs as it is a highly contagious infection. In most cases dogs who are infected are not serious so in this case dogs recover on their on within 1 to 2 weeks.

In rare cases canines are infected seriously and kennel cough can become a life threatening ailment ,so it is advisable to give proper treatment to the dogs at the earlier stage itself.

Tracheobronchitis is more commonly known as kennel cough ,this is an airborne infection which can be caused by bacteria known as Bordetella bronchiseptic , or a virus known as canine parainfluenza or a mycoplasma( organism between virus and bacteria).

Dogs are more or less likely to be attacked by any of the above disease carriers.Dogs that stay at kennels are more likely to be infected by this ailment ,being an airborne contagious disease dogs that are put together in one kennel are more likely to spread it among each other. Sometimes while traveling or while attending dog shows ,dogs are more open to this viral and bacterial attack ,especially those dogs who travel frequently or attend dog shows more often.

Kennel cough is a viral or bacterial infection which affect the lungs and the throat of the canine.
Your dog has been infected by kennel cough or not one must look for symptoms like harsh dry frequent coughing and sneezing ,this frequent dry cough leads to the inflammation of the wind pipe known as trachea , this leads to air passing into the lungs causing bronchitis .That's how the name of Tracheobronchitis was evolved.

In severe cases the dogs usually throw up a white foamy discharge after a cough fit ,dogs may also develop inflammation of the membrane lining the eye it a form of conjunctivitis.
In worst kennel coughs dogs are known to suffer from rhinitis which means inflammation of nasal
mucous membrane.

Kennel cough is easily diagnosed by physical examination and feeling the swollen trachea. In this case the vet may put your dog on an antibiotic as well as a cough suppressant. In secondary bacterial infection the canine may feel depressed ,feverish and may pass a yellowish discharge while sneezing ,in this case the vet may want to perform some preventive tests such as diagnosing the blood count ,taking the X-ray of the chest .

The vet may then put your dog on an antibiotic called azithromycin which is very effective especially when infected by mycoplasmal form of kennel cough.Canine kennel cough needs to be attended immediately as this can at times lead to severe pneumonia as well as canine distemper ,both as worse as the other and both equally dangerous to the life of your canine.

Usually dogs who are not affected badly ,are still as active as ever and will still have their appetite. Immunization as a preventive measure for kennel cough is highly recommended. Though this disease is caused by multiple organisms, so vaccination cannot give full protection So its best to keep your dog safe by reducing the dogs exposure to other unfamiliar dogs and kennels.
Canine Kennel Cough is important. Learn about it.