Natural Pet Health

Kennel cough or tracheobronchitis is bronchitis that is marked by dry spasmodic cough, retching, sneezing, snorting or choking. It is characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory system. It can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection.

Tracheobronchitis is highly contagious and occurs when dogs are kept in crowded places with poor ventilation and lot of warm air – places like boarding kennels, vaccination clinics, hospital waiting rooms or any other such place where other infected dogs may be present.

Kennel cough in canines is equivalent, in some aspects, to common cold in humans. The symptoms are characteristic and obvious enough for diagnosis. And just as common cold caused by a virus requires no treatment, kennel cough in dogs also does not require any treatment if the condition has been caused due to a viral infection.

Both older and younger pets are more predisposed to disease. They are also more prone to progression of a disease and treatment failure. This happens because in older pets the vital organs and systems start to loose their functionality and, in puppies and kittens these organs and systems have not developed completely.

The immune system too is highly compromised in older and younger pets due to similar reasons. Canine and feline upper respiratory infection is common in young pets. Although inherently self-limiting by nature, home care remedies can make that extra difference to a fast recovery.