Natural Pet Health

Kennel Cough is important to take seriously. Kennel cough also known as Tracheobronchitis. Is one of the most contagious and difficult illness in dogs. Kennel cough in simple terms means cough caused due to inflammation of the upper respiratory system.

Tracheobronchitis is named kennel cough as this cough is highly contagious and can spread easily among dogs sharing the same kennel.

Kennel cough can be caused by viral as well as bacterial infections .Viral infection like canine adenovirus canine distemper canine para influenza virus or canine respiratory coronavirus.

Bacterial infection like Bordetella bronchiseptica can be major causes for the spread of kennel cough.

An early detection is essential for the timely treatment of any illness and this becomes extremely critical when we are discussing or talking in the context of man’s best friend – the dog. Given the fact that your dog cannot communicate to you in your language, it is critical that you be able to identify any unusual symptoms that may appear.

Knowing the preliminary symptoms of any illness or disease is therefore, required. Kennel cough is one illness that any dog can contract if he has been in close proximity with another infected dog. Though rampant in kennels and places that board dogs, the disease can attack any dog.

Basically cough is a body’s natural way of indicating that there is something wrong inside the body and especially in the respiratory system. Dogs, like humans, cough due to many reasons. The type of cough is often, but not always, sufficient indication of the cause. A dry hacking cough is a typical symptom of kennel cough in dogs.

Kennel cough is an infection that dogs usually acquire when exposed to other dogs with a similar infection. Dogs that have been recently boarded or those that have returned from dog shows are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Kennel cough is commonly caused by parainfluenza, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and mycoplasma. Other possible infectious agents include adenovirus, reovirus and the canine herpes virus. In majority of the cases it is a disease caused by a combination of bacterial and viral infection.

Kennel cough in dogs is as common as common cold in humans. If you have ever consulted a specialist before boarding your dog in a kennel, you would probably remember that you were advised to get your dog vaccinated.

Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease that can infect an entire kennel in a matter of days. Dogs can pick up infection from other places like dog shows, training classes, veterinarian clinics or from stray dogs when you take him out for a walk.

Kennel cough in canines is caused by bacteria or viruses or a combination of both. The most common infectious agents are bordetella bronchiseptica (bacteria) and parainfluenza and adenovirus (viruses). Besides, other pathogenic agents like mycoplasma may also cause kennel cough in dogs.

Kennel cough in dogs is a fairly common condition. It occurs when a dog comes in contact with or is near an infected dog. The most likely time when this can occur is when the dog has been kenneled for a period of time.

However, being kenneled is not the only manner in which dogs can contract kennel cough. Dogs may get infected even when they have not been recently boarded. This is because an infected dog can potentially pass on the infection to another by sneezing and coughing.