Kennel Cough in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Kennel cough in dogs, also known as canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can spread quickly from one dog to another. The most common causes are bacteria and viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract. Kennel cough occurs most often among dogs in close quarters, such as those who spend time at boarding, training, or grooming facilities.

In This Article

• • What Causes Kennel Cough
  • Signs of Kennel Cough
  • How to Diagnose Kennel Cough
  • Treating Kennel Cough
  • Avoiding Kennel Cough Reinfection
  • Recovering From Kennel Cough

Although rare and unlikely, it’s possible for humans to become infected by pathogens (disease-causing agents) associated with kennel cough. This is especially true for individuals with a weakened immune system. Washing your hands and minimizing contact with infected dogs can help limit the spread of disease.

In general, kennel cough is highly treatable in most healthy, adult dogs. However, this disease can be more severe in puppies younger than 6 months old or in dogs who are immunocompromised due to underlying health conditions. Simply touching a contaminated surface and then petting your dog could put them at increased risk of infection.

So, it’s important to know how to keep your dog healthy. A good place to start is your veterinarian. Here’s what you need to know about kennel cough in dogs including the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.

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Causes of Kennel Cough in Dogs

Another name for kennel cough in dogs is canine infectious respiratory disease. Sometimes people refer to this infection simply as “Bordetella” because the bacterium, Bordetella bronchiseptica, is one of the most common causes of kennel cough. But kennel cough does have other causes including mycoplasmas, which are a type of bacteria, along with viruses such as canine distemper, canine respiratory coronavirus, canine parainfluenza virus, and canine adenovirus type 2.

Transmission is either from direct contact with infected dogs, aerosols from coughing or sneezing of infected dogs, or from contact with contaminated objects. Kennel cough tends to spread quickly in crowded or enclosed spaces such as boarding kennels, grooming salons, doggy daycare facilities, and dog parks. “In places like these, dogs either inhale airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing or are exposed to pathogens via shared surfaces like water bowls, toys, and bedding,” says Dr. Randy Aronson, VMD, CCRT, CVA, a holistic integrative veterinarian based in Tucson, Ariz. Other factors that increase susceptibility to infection are cold air, poor ventilation, and stress.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough

The incubation period is the time between when a dog is exposed to the pathogen and begins showing symptoms of illness. “This period can be anywhere between 2 and 14 days,” Dr. Aronson explains. The main symptom to look out for is a harsh cough. It can sound like a goose honking.

Mild cases of kennel cough are usually treatable in healthy dogs. Still, it’s important to consult your veterinarian because coughing can be a sign of a more serious disease such as a collapsing trachea, bronchitis, asthma, and heart disease. Moreover, the early signs of kennel cough resemble those of the canine distemper virus and canine influenza.

Symptoms of kennel cough are:

• Persistent and forceful “honking” or hacking cough
• Gagging or retching
• Excessive sneezing
• Runny nose
• Eye discharge
• Low fever, in some cases
• Mild lethargy
• Decreased appetite, in some cases

Diagnosing Kennel Cough in Dogs

Before bringing your dog into a clinic, it’s advised to let the staff know that your dog is experiencing signs of coughing. Most veterinary hospitals will request you and your dog to be isolated from other clients and their dogs due to the risk of contagion.

The veterinarian will ask about your dog’s exposure history. For instance, have they spent time at a boarding facility? Has your doggy daycare reported any cases of coughing? In addition, the vet will look for characteristic clinical signs, especially the distinctive “honking” cough, Dr. Aronson says.

If the honking cough and other symptoms are present, the vet may conduct further testing, including nasal or throat swabs for PCR testing. They may culture the swabs to identify the source of infection. “In select cases, blood tests can help rule out other conditions,” he says. If warranted, a thoracic radiograph (X-ray) may be used to see if your dog has any changes to their airways or has a serious infection such as pneumonia.

Treating Kennel Cough

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Mild cases of kennel cough are treated much the same way as you would handle the common cold: supportive care and time, as long as your dog is eating and drinking to maintain hydration. Typically, your dog may need a week or more of supportive care including fluids and plenty of rest. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent a secondary bacterial infection, as well as a cough suppressant medication to ease your dog’s symptoms and help them sleep.

In some cases, the vet may suggest using a nebulizer or vaporizer. In a multi-pet household, if one pet is coughing, it’s likely that others have been exposed. Accordingly, it’s best to keep infected dogs separate using a dog crate, exercise pen, or gate. Dogs should stay home from doggy daycare and avoid interacting with other dogs for at least two weeks after they finish coughing and displaying clinical signs to prevent the spread of infection.

Avoiding Infection and Reinfection

There is a vaccine for kennel cough which helps protect against the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacterium. The vaccine is available in oral, intranasal, and injectable form. Depending on the form, the vaccine is usually given in two doses, two to four weeks apart. This is followed by a booster every six months to a year.

It’s wise to speak with your veterinarian about whether the kennel cough vaccine is needed. They may suggest the Bordetella vaccine if your dog is a frequent visitor to boarding or daycare facilities, a regular competitor in dog sports, or lives in a multi-pet household. In fact, some training, boarding, and daycare facilities require proof of vaccination.

Getting your dog vaccinated reduces the risk and severity of illness. Depending on your dog’s risk level and how the vaccine is formulated, immunity lasts 6 to 12 months. “Vaccinated dogs can still get kennel cough from other pathogens but are more likely to experience milder signs and a quicker recovery,” Dr. Aronson says.

Because the Bordetella vaccine specifically targets Bordetella bronchiseptica, it doesn’t protect against all causes of kennel cough. “Immunity to a specific pathogen may last 6 to 12 months, but dogs can still be infected by other strains or different organisms within the canine infectious respiratory disease complex,” he says. Reinfection remains a possibility since multiple bacteria and viruses can cause kennel cough. When a virus is the culprit, natural immunity tends to be shorter compared to other pathogens.

Supporting a Dog’s Recovery from Kennel Cough

For most dogs, recovery takes one to three weeks, but can last longer in severe cases of kennel cough. Dr. Aronson advises against exercising or overexerting your dog which can worsen the cough. Make sure your dog rests and avoids strenuous activity.

After a week or so, if your dog appears to be doing well, you can try taking them for a walk. Start with short and slow walks and see how your dog responds. He recommends using a dog harness instead of a dog collar to alleviate any pressure on your dog’s trachea which can aggravate the cough, constrict breathing, or injure their respiratory tract.

Your dog should avoid contact with other dogs while they’re symptomatic. For instance, you can take them for walks in secluded areas or go out when there’s less activity at dog parks and trails. Once the coughing stops, he recommends keeping your dog away from other dogs for at least two weeks.

Since kennel cough is associated with decreased appetite, it’s important to keep your dog nourished and hydrated. If your dog’s appetite is off, contact your veterinarian. They may advise tempting your dog with “high value” food, such as cooked chicken or hamburger to whet their appetite if they’re not eating well. If they continue to have a decreased appetite, contact your vet to ensure your dog’s condition isn’t worsening.

To the extent possible, aim to reduce the amount of smoke, dust, and other respiratory irritants in your dog’s environment. Clean and wash their bedding, toys, and bowls regularly. “To ease airway irritation, you can use a humidifier or steam therapy,” he says. “Promptly contact your veterinarian if symptoms are getting worse, especially if your dog becomes lethargic, refuses food, or develops breathing difficulty.”