What are the symptoms of kennel cough? This contagious dog disease is transferred through air and urine. Kennel cough (also called canine viral conjunctivitis) is an extremely contagious respiratory infection. Dogs commonly get kennel cough from places where large numbers of dogs congregate, like dog parks, kennels, boarding and daycare centers, dog shows, and veterinary clinics. If your dog has kennel cough, he may cough up green or yellow mucous, have a runny nose, cough, wheeze, or have difficulty breathing.
Symptoms of Kennel Cough usually appear on the first day of illness. However, some dogs have symptoms within a few days or up to a few weeks. The symptoms of this condition worsen over time. To make sure your dog isn’t suffering from another health problem like pneumonia, bring him to the vet for a complete checkup. He may need to do blood tests, special vaccinations, or a physical to see if your dog is okay.
Some of the symptoms of kennel cough that show up on the surface don’t necessarily mean your dog has the disease. Sometimes, these same symptoms can be caused by something else. For example, a sneeze can also cause your dog’s throat to swell. If you think your dog has kennel cough, bring him to the vet for a proper diagnosis. Don’t assume he has the illness unless you’re absolutely positive.
Other common symptoms include coughing or sneezing. This can happen as often as every hour, which would be the case if your dog was sneezing constantly. If the cough seems to be more severe, it could lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. Bronchitis can be fatal.
Symptoms of mild kennel cough are easy to spot. Your dog will usually stop breathing right away and start to wheeze. He’ll either drool excessively or have a stuffy or congested nose. He might even cough up greenish mucous, which is actually the greenish blood from an irritated respiratory tract. However, the most common symptom will be irritability.
Some other symptoms include: hot flashes, heavy sneezing, irritability, lack of appetite, shortness of breath, lameness, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. If your dog has a severe infection by pathogens, he could have difficulty eating, urinating, or producing saliva. In rare situations, your dog could experience fever and chills. In extreme cases, your dog could die if not treated quickly.
The most critical symptoms will be infections that spread throughout the lungs such as pneumonia, or if not treated quickly, could lead to death. Kennel cough spreads through the respiratory tract like a virus, so even if one cough is mild, it can lead to pneumonia or worse. This is why it is critical to seek immediate medical attention for your pets. Even a mild case of kennel cough will be a serious situation if it spreads to the lungs. That’s why it’s very important to make sure your dog is checked thoroughly by a vet when he has his annual exam, just to make sure he doesn’t have any hidden conditions that might lead to pneumonia.
If your dog has been diagnosed with kennel cough, your vet may prescribe cough suppressants that work to reduce coughing in your dog. Your vet may also recommend antibiotics in three weeks after the diagnosis. While there is no cure for kennel cough, your vet can treat it with medicines to shorten the duration and stop the virus from spreading throughout the body.
Some dogs die in their kennels right away because of what are called preventable causes. These are illnesses that can be contracted by your pet in kennels, hospitals, or other animals that come in close quarters. Some of these illnesses include diarrhea, dehydration, and malnutrition. It is important that you take these illnesses seriously because they may eventually lead to death if not treated properly.
Common symptoms of kennel cough in dogs include diarrhea, loss of appetite, and vomiting. In rare cases, your dog may also suffer from weight loss. He may seem hungrier than usual, but won’t necessarily eat more than usual. If you notice any of these symptoms in your puppy, you should take him to the veterinarian immediately. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your dog’s health and well being, so you should have him checked out by a veterinarian before you leave him alone with your puppies.
There are several things that you can do to help prevent your dog from getting sick in the first place. If you notice any type of symptoms, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible for a complete diagnosis. A vet will be able to tell you what is causing the problem, how serious it is, and what you can do to help. Proper diagnosis is the best way to determine the proper treatment plan.