You’re probably asking yourself “what is kennel cough?”. If you want to find out, you are going to want to stop what you’re doing and read this article.
In the next few paragraphs, we’re going to discuss everything you need to know about kennel cough. First, we’ll clarify what exactly Kennel cough is and how dogs contract it. To conclude, we’ll debunk the common kennel cough myths.
What Is Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is a respiratory disease that’s highly contagious. You may also hear this disease be referred to as canine infectious tracheobronchitis. The symptoms usually consist of:
- a forceful cough that has a honking sound to it
- mild fever
- loss of appetite
- runny nose
- sneezing
If you believe your dog has it, separate them from your other pets immediately. Also, make sure that they’re not sharing food and water with the other animals. Kennel cough will often go away on its own within two to three weeks. If symptoms persist any longer or get worse you should talk with your veterinarian about possible treatments.
To prevent this disease you can have your dog vaccinated. The vaccine comes in three forms one that is given orally, a nasal spray, or an injection.
How Do Dogs Get Kennel Cough
Kennels, doggie daycares, and dog parks are common breeding grounds for the illness. Many of these places require you show proof of vaccination. Dogs can spread the disease through contaminated surfaces, shared food/water bowls, water droplets in the air, and direct contact with another dog.
Common Kennel Cough Myths
Most people believe that if they get their dog vaccinated there is no chance of their dog catching it. Actually, the vaccine might not entirely prevent your dog from contracting kennel cough but prevent them from getting as sick as they would without vaccination.Another misconception is that the cleanliness of a facility, or lack there of, is to blame for the spread of the illness. Dirty surfaces are not the only way your dog can get sick. The disease can spread through the air as well through coughing and sneezing.
Kennel Cough is not necessarily a deadly illness. It’s common for it to go away on its own. Now that you know what it is and what to watch out for, hopefully, you can prevent your dog from catching it.
