Kennel cough is most common in dogs under 6 months old. Dogs imported from abroad, dogs roaming during cold, wet spells. Or dogs suffering from many other adverse stresses… are all likely to carry the disease “Infectious Trachebronchitis”. Also known as “Dry cough” “cough like a goose honking”.

Causes of kennel cough in dogs

The bacteria that causes the disease is caused by Canine parainfluenza Virus combined with some other bacteria in the respiratory tract that cause dogs to cough such as: Bordetella bronchiseptica… Mycoplasma can be spread in the air. Kennel cough is often spread in closed places such as kennels or animal cages. In addition, dogs can spread the disease at hospitals, training classes or puppy care facilities.

Your dog can become infected by sharing water bowls in public places like parks, or by just having brief contact with an infected dog. Therefore, using immune-boosting drugs for dogs in this case is very necessary.

Symptoms when dogs cough and cough

Kennel cough spreads quickly, killing many dogs with symptoms of dogs coughing and coughing lasting from 7 to 21 days due to upper respiratory tract infection. Even though at first the dog still eats well, is agile, and has no fever, it is difficult to tell if the dog is sick.

Observe carefully: the eyes are not clear, there is discharge, the nose is always dry, rough and has green discharge, often licking the nose and then swallowing the fluid, sneezing when there is a lot of fluid flowing out… The disease becomes chronic, the dog loses weight. quickly due to the onset of other bacterial and viral diseases: Parvovirus, Carre… Diarrhea, bloody mucus, foul-smelling stools, vomiting yellow viscous fluid from the stomach mixed with viscosity, liver and kidney dysfunction and sudden death due to difficulty breathing, respiratory failure, dehydration and cardiovascular collapse.

The disease often lasts for many weeks, even up to 2 months. The animals that were treated symptomatically and seemed to be cured, but after a few weeks they relapsed and had a very high mortality rate. In the final stage of the disease, when the dog’s resistance decreases, the dog’s cough changes to: bloody diarrhea, staggering, trembling, and epileptic seizures.

• Dry cough is the most common symptom.
• The cough sounded like a goose honking.
• Vomiting, vomiting.
• Runny nose.
• In mild cases, dogs can still live and eat normally.
• In more severe cases, symptoms can become complicated. Including: dogs with colds, pneumonia, loss of appetite, fever, coma. Can even lead to death.
• Unvaccinated puppies, or dogs with weakened immune systems, are likely to have the most severe symptoms.

The method of transmission causes dogs to develop bronchitis

Kennel cough, also known as bronchitis in dogs, is transmitted through the environment, livestock tools, contaminated waste or direct contact between infected dogs and healthy dogs. Especially in places where many dogs of different or unknown origins gather.

Foreign dog breeds such as: Saint Bernard, Tibetan Mastiff, Bulldog, Pomeranian, Husky, Dachshund, Pug… have lower resistance than our dogs, dogs show quite high disease and death rates. Dogs raised in the cold and wet climate of the North have more serious and difficult-to-treat diseases than dogs raised in the South. Therefore, it is necessary to use clothes for dogs that are warm enough to keep them from getting cold.

Diagnosis of tracheitis – infectious bronchitis

Mainly based on clinical symptoms and epidemiology (mode of spread). Diagnosis of virus and bacteria isolation tests in the laboratory results are not high and not timely. Chest X-ray clearly shows when you have long-term secondary bacterial pneumonia.

Diagnosis of kennel cough depends on the symptoms. Medical history as well as their level of contact with other dogs. To get the most accurate view. You need to provide your dog’s complete medical history and the initial signs when your dog first got sick.

Your doctor will conduct a complete blood test. Including blood tests and analysis of blood components. In addition, there is a urine test. Blood test results, along with virus isolation and bacterial culture, will be the tools to accurately identify the individual causing kennel cough in your dog.

Treat dogs with cough and bronchitis

There is no specific medicine to treat kennel cough. Most treatment is symptomatic: Infusion of fluids and electrolytes, energy, antibiotics to prevent secondary diseases. Support, respiratory support and special care. If you discover your dog has an intermittent cough, it’s best to take it to a veterinary clinic. In some milder cases, you can let the disease heal on its own, but you still have to monitor your dog’s condition closely and note the following:

Dogs with kennel cough should be kept separate from healthy dogs.
A humidifier or evaporator may provide relief. You can put your dog in the bathroom while you bathe, the rising steam can soothe your dog’s irritated throat.
Keep your dog away from cigarette smoke or other types of toxic smoke with unpleasant odors.
You can use cough suppressants or anti-bacterial medications. You should consult your veterinarian to see if they work for your dog.
If you see your dog pulling back on the collar when being taken for a walk, it’s a sign that their throat is uncomfortable. Change the straps to fit across the dog’s body.
Make sure your dog’s food has all the necessary nutrients. And in an environment free of threats and pressure.

Notes when treating kennel cough in dogs

Usually, signs of kennel cough will gradually decrease and disappear after about 3 weeks. For puppies, older or immunocompromised dogs, this can be up to 6 weeks or more. Dogs can still transmit the infection to others even when symptoms have completely disappeared.

After a week of treatment, the dog’s cough will gradually improve. But pay attention to how long it takes for the symptoms to completely stop. If your dog has a runny nose, is breathing rapidly, refuses to eat or shows signs of lethargy, you need to take them to the veterinarian immediately. If not treated promptly, severe cases of kennel cough in dogs can lead to pneumonia.

Methods of preventing kennel cough in dogs

Up to now, dog vaccination is the most guaranteed disease prevention measure. This disease prevention vaccine is included in the multivalent vaccine doses of: 3-4-5-6-7 diseases currently circulating on the market. But the immune effect is low. Vaccinating dogs according to the correct procedure and with enough vaccinations for dogs under 6 months of age is extremely important to prevent the spread of disease.

Veterinarians recommend that you should get vaccinated against parainfluenza every 6 months. Even with adult dogs. Consult your veterinarian to find the most suitable vaccine. Because some vaccines can cause worrying side effects. Vaccines to prevent bronchitis are usually only used for dogs at high risk of disease.

The method of keeping newly arrived dogs in quarantine for at least 2 weeks is not yet safe from epidemics. Disinfecting and leaving the infected farming area empty for a period of time is very necessary. Keep warm, dry, use appropriate dog food, with enough valuable nutrients to increase resistance and increase immune effectiveness.

This disease of kennel cough has previously hardly affected humans. However, in recent studies, scientists have discovered that dogs are coughed up by the bordetella virus which can cause illness in humans. Especially people with weakened immune systems. Normally healthy adults can rest assured that the risk of getting sick is very low, but young children and people with weak immune systems should avoid getting close to and coming into contact with dogs with kennel cough.