Kennel cough is a severe upper respiratory infection. It's a highly contagious disease, often present among highly communal canine populations in animal shelters and pet stores. Adult dogs generally respond well to treatment, but puppies are more at risk from this disease due to their immature immune systems. In puppies, the disease can progress into pneumonia and, in extreme cases, lead to death.
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Identification
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The most predominant symptom of kennel cough in puppies is a dry, hacking cough. Other common symptoms, which may last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, can include a drop in activity, loss of interest in food, and discharge from the eyes and/or nose.
Prevention/Solution
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Vaccination is key to the prevention of kennel cough in puppies, and should be administered either via inoculation or intra-nasally as early as two weeks of age. Veterinarians may also prescribe a cough medicine and antibiotic to prevent any secondary infections.
Theories/Speculation
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According to Buzzle.com, home treatment using natural remedies can help puppies with mild cases of kennel cough. These include keeping the air moist and fresh with the help of a humidifier, giving the puppy 3 tsp. of honey daily and letting the puppy inhale the steam from a hot shower for 20 minutes several times a day.
Warning
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Puppies afflicted with kennel cough should immediately be isolated from litter mates to avoid the spread of this highly contagious disease. Also, don't allow puppies to share food and water bowls and toys with others.
Expert Insight
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According to All-About-Puppies.com, kennel cough is caused when a number of different airborne bacteria and viruses come together to attack a puppy's immune system. Sharing living and sleeping quarters with many others dogs increases the likelihood of this multifaceted attack.
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