What Are Some Kennel Cough Symptoms?

Are Kennel Cough Symptoms something you need to worry about? What should you be on the lookout for when your dog makes a strange coughing sound.....Read on for more....

Your dog is acting odd and does not seem to be well. What are some kennel cough symptoms? Kennel cough symptoms will not show up for at least a week after you dog has been exposed to the virus.

If your dog is not a show dog and has not been boarded in a kennel lately then he probably does not have kennel cough as it is a disease that is spread when dogs are in close proximity to others for extended periods of time.

Dogs from shelters are also at risk for kennel cough. This cough is a generic term for many upper respiratory diseases that affect all varieties of canines both tame and wild.

Other names that kennel cough go by include Bordetella, Bordetellosis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis or simply tracheobronchitis.

The vast majority of cases of kennel cough are not serious and usually run their course over two weeks.

As with any kind of respiratory disease younger and older dogs are more susceptible and may develop more serious complications if the condition is not treated properly.

Several viruses and bacteria can be the culprit in cases of kennel cough.

Some kennel cough symptoms include a dry hacking cough which can lead to vomiting of a white foamy discharge.

This is the result of an infection and excess mucus of the trachea and bronchial tubes. Additional symptoms can include rhinitis (sinus infection) and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

In mild cases the hacking cough and white foamy discharge may be the only symptoms you see and your dog will continue to act and eat normally.

If the kennel cough worsens you may see that your dog becomes lethargic, runs a fever and starts having a yellowish or greenish discharge from their nose.

At this point you should take your dog to the vet and get him on some sort of antibiotic treatment to keep it from moving into pneumonia.

Once pneumonia sets in it is difficult for your dog to recover sufficiently to return to their normal state of activity as the disease damages the lungs.

If your dog begins the hacking cough get in touch with your vet and let them know how long they have had the symptoms so they can let you know whether they should be getting over the disease by now or whether you need to bring them in for treatment.

All dogs should receive the DHLPP vaccine on an annual basis to greatly reduce the risk of kennel cough.

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DISCLAIMER

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.