How to Know If Your Dog Has Kennel Cough or Something More Serious

When dogs start to develop a cough, it can be concerning to any pet owner. While it’s certainly jarring for your pup to suddenly start dry-coughing, one common cause for coughing in dogs is kennel cough.

Let’s look at what kennel cough is, how to tell if your dog has kennel cough or something more serious, and how you can keep your dog healthy and happy.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is an umbrella term for a variety of infections that might occur in dogs. Usually, dogs that haven’t been vaccinated catch kennel cough, though vaccinated dogs might still catch kennel cough.

The majority of dogs who catch kennel cough are, unsurprisingly, kept in kennels within close proximity to one another, leading to a quick spread of the illness to each dog. The infection spreads from dog-to-dog through coughing and the sharing of toys, food bowls, and water dishes.

Viruses and bacteria can cause kennel cough. A few of the most common organisms that cause kennel cough include parainfluenza, adenovirus type-2, reovirus, canine coronavirus, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica.

What Are the Symptoms of Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough symptoms present 4-10 days after exposure, with a hacking cough that is true to the name. However, it’s extremely important to take your dog to the vet even if you think your pet is suffering from kennel cough, as the symptoms are similar to other, more serious illnesses, such as canine distemper and influenza.

Here is how kennel cough might present in your dog:

  • It sounds like there is something in your dog’s throat.
  • Your dog has a dry, mucus-free cough.
  • Your dog has a runny nose, or slight fever, but still retains appetite.

More serious kennel cough symptoms are indicative of a secondary infection and include a wet, hacking cough, loss of energy, and decreased appetite.

If these more serious symptoms occur, then your dog is at an increased risk of catching pneumonia, which may be life-threatening. Contact your dog’s vet immediately if symptoms worsen.

How to Treat Kennel Cough?

Most dogs won’t need treatment for minor cases of the illness. One to two weeks of rest is often enough for your dog to recover from kennel cough.

If your dog has severe to moderate kennel cough, however, your dog’s veterinarian might give cough suppressants to help ease your dog’s symptoms. Certain bacterial infections may also require antibiotics to help your dog recover.

How to Prevent Kennel Cough?

There are two ways that you can prevent kennel cough in dogs. One is by vaccinating your dog against known causes of kennel cough, like the Bordetella bacterium.

Another way you can help prevent your dog’s chances of catching kennel cough is by giving your dog immune supplements.

Here at Allivet, we have both vaccinations and supplements that you can give to your dog to help prevent kennel cough and boost your dog’s immune system response.

Imuquin Immune Health Supplement for Dogs

Imuquin is a powerful blend of vitamins, minerals, and other immune-supporting ingredients to help your dog overcome kennel cough faster.

This immune system supplement contains omega-3s like EPA and DHA, which are known to help reduce inflammation, maintain antibody-responses to pathogens, support healthy organ and tissue functioning, and boost normal cell activity in dogs. Simply sprinkle a packet into your dog’s food for easy immune system support.

Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites Immune System Supplement

If your dog likes treats, Zesty Paw’s soft chews are a great way to give your dog the health benefits of a supplement without the challenges of getting your dog to eat medicine. These tablets come in tasty flavors of either lamb, salmon, or peanut butter.

Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites contain an immune system blend of vitamins, polyphenols, minerals, and metabolites, which all aid in keeping your dog healthy.

Kennel-Jec 2 Nasal Vaccine for Dogs

This vaccine is for healthy dogs 3 weeks and older. It reduces your dog’s chances of catching Bordetella Bronchiseptica and Canine Parainfluenza, which are known to cause canine upper respiratory infections like kennel cough.

Nobivac Canine 1-DAPPv+Cv (5 Way + Corona) Vaccine

Another vaccine that can help prevent your dog from developing kennel cough is the Nobivac vaccine, which protects your dog from 6 different pathogens that may cause canine cough.

Keep in Mind

These products are meant to support your dog and help dogs overcome or avoid catching diseases that cause kennel cough.

As with any health changes in your dog, however, always check with a vet prior to making any dietary or medical changes to your pet’s lifestyle.

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