Kennel cough, which may also be referred to as Bordetella, is often a combination of bacterial and viral infections that get into a dog's respiratory tract. The disease is normally about as severe and widespread as the human common cold, so you may not even realize your dog has a problem. In some cases, however, veterinary treatment becomes necessary.
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Most Common Symptoms
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Dogs with kennel cough usually exhibit a dry, hacking cough that becomes worse after activity. The coughing occurs often throughout the day.
Nonproductive Cough
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The cough exhibited by dogs with kennel cough is completely nonproductive. If your dog is coughing up mucus, he may have a more serious disease.
Other Mild Symptoms
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Dogs may also make retching sounds after coughing and have a watery nasal discharge.
More Severe Symptoms
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If the disease progresses, your dog may exhibit lethargy, fever and lack of appetite. Eventually, pneumonia can develop if the dog does not receive treatment.
Other Diseases
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Symptoms of kennel cough, especially the severe ones, are also found with other more serious diseases, such as blastomycosis. Also, more serious diseases, such as parainfluenza, can be a part of the combination of diseases that lead to kennel cough. To be safe, you should bring your dog to a veterinarian even if the symptoms are mild.
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