What Are The Symptoms Of Kennel Cough In Dogs? Kennel Cough (often called canine viral tracheostomegillitis) is an extremely contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus. Dogs very commonly contract kennel cough in places where large numbers of dogs congregate, including dog parks, kennels, dog shows, and boarding facilities. The most common symptom is a yellow-green discharge from the nose and throat. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, atypical behavior (wagging the tail), and lameness.
The cause of kennel cough is believed to be the same agent that causes a variety of diseases in dogs. This agent is called Cricothyroid, and it is responsible for many health problems in animals. Cricothyroid increases the rate and severity of coughing and leads to inflammation of the trachea. The increased inflammation is believed to be responsible for the typical pneumonia-like cough that is associated with kennel cough. Cricothyroid is also responsible for a condition called “winds” in which the affected animal wheezes and coughs up wind.
Some of the other symptoms of kennel cough are vomiting and weight loss. The vomiting can be accompanied by a fever if the cough is severe. Weight loss usually accompanies the other symptoms, but it can occur at any time. It is rare for dogs to experience appetite loss while suffering from this condition, but it has been known to occur.
Other symptoms include a change in the blood pressure (if the infection is severe), weakness, swollen lymph nodes, a change in mental status, drooling, and/or a change in the appearance of the coat. Your dog’s lips and eyes may turn white. He may become upset or afraid. Other dogs may be unusually restless. If the cough is not treated, it could lead to pneumonia – a condition that requires immediate medical treatment.
If the infection is not treated and the secondary infection occurs, the body will make attempts to cure the first bacteria by sending its own immune system to attack it. In fact, the body may try to use antibiotics to kill off the bacteria. This is how bacteria gets antibiotic resistant strains. Some dogs might not have enough of the appropriate antibodies to be able to fight off this kind of bacteria, so they are not as effective in treating the cough. If a secondary bacterial infection occurs, the dog’s veterinarian will probably recommend that he receive an antibiotic to kill off the bacteria.
The veterinarian will give your dog a medication in the form of pills or a nasal spray. The medication will help to shorten the length of time your dog has kennel cough. It will also help to clear up the symptoms. There is no cure for kennel cough, but your dog can live through the cough without any serious problems. But if the cough is not dealt with quickly, it could lead to pneumonia – a very serious condition that could require veterinary surgery.
If your dog has kennel cough and there is no solution to the coughing, your veterinarian may recommend an antibiotic to help eliminate the bacteria from your dog’s system. The antibiotic will destroy the bacteria called e-coli, which is the cause of most types of dog illnesses. You should never give your dog an antibiotic before consulting with a veterinarian, because the antibiotic could be dangerous to your dog’s health.
If the symptoms do not improve quickly or disappear, your veterinarian may suggest a course of antibiotics. In most cases, these should be taken as recommended by your veterinarian, but it’s important to remember that in some cases kennel cough can be caused by a virus, so you need to do additional testing. The antibiotics should be prescribed and taken as directed.