Kennel Cough Symptoms & Treatments in Dogs

Infectious tracheobronchitis, also called kennel cough, usually limits itself within two to three weeks with veterinary treatment, says Dr. Alleice Summers in "Common Diseases of Companion Animals." Kennel cough travels from dog to dog through numerous air-borne infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria and fungi, and can infect entire kennels and shelters within days of the first diagnosis. Any unvaccinated dog risks catching the disease in that type of closed environment. You need to become aware of the symptoms of kennel cough, particularly if your dog is being boarded, and see your veterinarian for treatment if you suspect your animal has contracted this disease.

  1. Coughing

    • Dogs with infectious tracheobronchitis typically present with a dry or productive hacking cough that sounds like "something caught in (the) dog's throat," states the veterinarians at Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. A "productive cough" involves a gagging, swallowing motion and generation of some kind of foamy mucus from the animal's lungs. Some animals unintentionally retch from the force of the cough. Dry coughing includes no fluids.

    Other Symptoms

    • In a mild case of kennel cough, your dog may continue to eat and drink normally, run no fever and appear active and alert. Severe cases may progress to the point where the dog shows signs of severe lethargy, high fever, inability or unwillingness to eat, pneumonia and possible death, advise the veterinarians at Pet Education. Most of these cases revolve around young, unvaccinated puppies or immuno-compromised adults.

    Treatment

    • Veterinarians commonly treat kennel cough patients with wide spectrum of antibiotics including doxycycline and sulfates, state veterinarians the UC-Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. These antibiotics kill the bacteria causing the disease by disrupting the protein synthesis of the cell--effectively disintegrating the bacteria. Vets may use cephalexin, clavamox and fluoroquinolones, other broad-spectrum antibiotics, to treat the secondary infections that often accompany kennel cough. Oral prednisone lessens the severity of the symptoms, while some dogs require bronchial dilators and antitussives to stop coughing. UC-Davis recommends that you walk your infected dog on a harness to avoid putting pressure on the trachea and reduce your pet's barking to aid in healing.