Kennel Cough in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatments

Have you ever heard of Kennel cough? Well, Kennel Cough (canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD)) is a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs.  The disease typically gets spread when a healthy dog gets exposed to the respiratory secretions of an infected dog.

If you think about it, kennel cough is about the same as a respiratory disease in us humans. It can cause mild symptoms in some dogs but can progress to a life-threatening pneumonia in other dogs.

Here’s everything you need to know about Kennel Cough in dogs:

What is Kennel Cough?

Kennel Cough is an infectious bronchitis disease. The disease causes the trachea and bronchioles to become inflamed, resulting in a dry, hacking cough. It might sometimes sound like your dog has something stuck in their throat.

How do dogs get Kennel Cough?

As mentioned above, healthy dogs can get kennel cough by inhaling aerosolized bacteria or viruses from infected dogs. The bacteria and/or virus can spread through coughing or sneezing, or through infected objects such as toys, food/water bowls. Kennel Cough approximately takes about three to four days to appear in a dog after they have been exposed to it.

What are the symptoms of Kennel Cough?

Symptoms of kennel cough include:

• A persistent dry, hacking cough
• Coughing during the night
• Retching with the production of white foam

Severe symptoms include:

• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Labored breathing

How long does Kennel Cough last?

How long the disease lasts, depends on how severe it is, but dogs with mild kennel cough are usually sick for about one or two weeks and recover well.  If your dog has a more complicated case of Kennel Cough, they may be sick for three to six weeks, with a long road to recovery. Dogs who are severely affected by Kennel Cough can develop pneumonia and could possibly die.

How do you treat Kennel Cough?

The treatment for kennel cough all depends will on your dog and the severity of the kennel cough. It is advised to rather take your dog to a vet if you suspect Kennel Cough.

Are there home remedies for Kennel Cough?

There are a few at-home remedies for Kennel Cough which includes;

Honey and Warm Water

It is well-known for decades now that honey is a great home remedy for various illnesses, including Kennel Cough. It can help soothe your dog's throat and minimize coughing.

Humidifier

You can place a small humidifier near your dog while they are resting. The humidifier will help moisten the air that your dog breathes, which can help with irritation of the respiratory tract.

Plenty of Rest

Rest is so important for your dog while recovering from kennel cough, it’s probably one of the most important factors in the recovery process. You can try to reduce the amount of exercise your dog gets on a daily basis while they are recovering from Kennel Cough. This can help a lot with the healing and reduce coughing spells.