How do Dog and Puppy catch Kennel cough: Symptoms and treatment
Kennel cough also referred to as canine infectious tracheobronchitis could be a highly contagious disease among dogs and puppies. The foremost common bacteria that causes this virus is the bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica m-- which is why kennel cough is commonly called Bordetella.
What is a Kennel cough?
Kennel cough is an airborne disease that causes the trachea and bronchioles to become inflamed, which is why it can spread through kennels quickly. It's also transmitted with bacteria on dog toys, food bowls or other shared objects. Some cases are mild but some are often severe that may lead to life-threatening pneumonia to your dog or puppy. That's why it’s important to hunt the recommendation of your veterinarian to forestall further complications.
How do dogs and puppies catch Kennel cough?
Dogs and puppies are typically vulnerable to kennel cough after they are in a congested area with poor ventilation. They commonly contract kennel cough at places where large amounts of canines congregate just like the following:
- Dog parks
- Training groups
- Dog shows
- Dog Boarding and daycare facilities
Although there aren't any vaccines that may prevent the spread of Kennel cough to your dog, you'll be able to lessen the chance of the occurrence by giving them the injectable version of the bordetella vaccine between ages six to eight weeks. Unfortunately, there’s still no known test to diagnose Kennel cough.
What are the symptoms of Kennel Cough?
If your dog or puppy has acquired a Kennel cough it’s very easy to identify the symptoms. The subsequent are the symptoms that you simply will notice if your dog has the communicable disease.
- A strong cough, often with a “honking” sound – this is often the foremost obvious symptom
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Eye discharge
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
It’s helpful for owners to use a harness instead of a collar to steer a dog with kennel cough because irritation of the tracheal can aggravate the cough and possibly even cause damage to the trachea
How to treat Kennel Cough?
The treatment for Kennel cough disease will vary looking at the severity of your dog’s case. For mild cases, dogs and puppies need only a radical target: rest, hydration, and nutrition. Some dogs also can heal themselves on their own in a very short period of your time.
For severe cases, this could make your dog very ill and lose their appetite which will weaken your dog’s system. If your dog has developed Pneumonia, it may result in hospitalization and antibiotic prescription.