Kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica) is a common, highly contagious upper-respiratory infection in farm and companion animals, and most kennels will not accept dogs that have not been vaccinated for it. It is unusual for humans to catch bordetella bronchiseptica, but when they do, it requires special treatment. Your doctor will be able to teach you how to treat yourself with prescribed medications at home.
Things You'll Need
- Physician and pharmacist
- Sputum culture
- Levofloxacin
- Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim
- Drinking water
- Chamomile tea
Instructions
Recognize the symptoms, which include shortness of breath, chest pain, an unproductive cough and a low-grade fever. Recognize the possible route of infection, typically exposure to farm or companion animals, especially those who have recently had or been vaccinated for kennel cough. Share all of this history with your doctor.
See your doctor. Do not let these symptoms go untreated, as they can become serious or chronic. Your usual home remedies for an upper-respiratory complaint will not help with a bacterial infection, and if you suspect you have kennel cough, you will require a very specific combination of medications.
Ask for a sputum culture. If you suspect kennel cough, your doctor can order a sputum culture to either confirm it or rule it out. Because humans rarely catch this species of bacteria, your doctor will probably not suspect it unless you direct her to consider it.
Take the medications your doctor prescribes as directed. In the few cases of kennel cough reported in humans, doctors generally had lasting success with a combination of the strong antibiotics levofloxacin (also known as Levaquin) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Tell your doctor about any other health conditions you have and other medications you are taking.
Drink lots of water. Water helps the body flush away bacteria and helps keep cells healthy while the immune system battles this persistent infection. Other clear liquids you could drink when you have this infection include calming teas like chamomile. Avoid dairy, which can thicken secretions and make your symptoms worse.