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Kennel Cough in Dogs

by Victoria Ries

Infectious canine tracheobronchitis or kennel cough as it is commonly known is a highly contagious infection that presents with a dry hacking cough that may get worse as time goes by. Affecting puppies and older dogs most frequently causing pneumonia in some instances, kennel cough is often contracted while the canine is being boarded in kennels where viruses that cause kennel cough are found--although this is not the only way that kennel cough is caught; anywhere there is a high concentration of dogs is a potential breeding ground for the virus.

The incubation period for kennel cough is between two and ten days after initial contact with infected droplets carrying the virus. Dogs suffering from kennel cough may have healthy appetites and otherwise act normally. Rabbits may be at risk for kennel cough if they are exposed to the virus. 

Bordetella bronchiseptica virus and the parainfluenza virus are two known viruses to cause this contagious infection, which is contracted through the air from an infected dog to a healthy dog. Contagion may occur at the veterinarian’s office, at the park on walks, or anywhere dogs are present.

Preventing kennel cough may be achieved to some degree by the use of vaccines. These vaccines work against some of the known viruses that cause kennel cough although they have little power on all contributing viruses that may cause kennel cough. Vaccines will give your canine some immunity against kennel cough viruses, however these vaccines are by no means effective against every one of these. Yearly kennel cough boosters are recommended to afford continuing partial immunity. Vaccinating a dog who already has kennel cough has no positive effect.

Kennel cough is regarded as a self-limiting infection, clearing up on its own after the virus has run its course. Dogs that have kennel cough for extended lengths of time should be seen once again by the veterinarian, to find out whether there is an underlying cause for this due to other yet undiagnosed illnesses and diseases he may have.