Natural Pet Health

Kennel Cough Symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. 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.

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 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.

Kennel cough in dogs is an infection that can be caused by a number of agents. These agents work together to damage and irritate the lining of trachea. Though kennel cough is commonly associated with a bacterium known as Bordetella bronchiseptica, two other viruses, parainfluenza virus and adenovirus and parasitic bacteria (mycoplasma) can also lead to kennel cough in canines.

The condition is self limiting and the duration of kennel cough in dogs is short. However, that does not mean that it does not cause discomfort to the dog. The condition can cause your dog to cough continuously for several minutes. His cough may sound like a ‘honking’ sound as if trying to expel something out from his throat. The continuous sound of the cough can be extremely irritating to the owner as well; not to mention the discomfort that it causes the dog.