What causes kennel cough for dogs? Before we answer that question we need to understand the nature of kennel cough, and what it is not. Basically this condition is caused by an infectious mucous which gets into the bronchi of the dogs, causing an inflammation of the bronchi. This is then classified as a type of asthmatic bronchitis, because of the inflammation of the airways caused by the obstruction of the mucous.
Kennel cough, without treatment, can cause serious complications for your dog. Some of the more severe symptoms are vomiting, weight loss, emaciation, coughing and wheezing. It is very important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible when these symptoms occur, as they can rapidly turn into a more serious respiratory infection. Kennel cough is usually caused by several different viruses, including the canine adenoviruses, parainfluenza, and bordetella bacteria.
The prognosis for most dogs with this condition is fairly good, although survival rates may be lower for some dogs. Unfortunately there is no cure for it but there are some experimental treatments available. These include use of methotrexate, piroxicam, cefuroxime, and amoxicillin/clavulanate, or aerosol vaccines.
Treatment of this condition usually involves a course of antibiotics. Methotrexate and cefuroxime are relatively effective in treating mild cases, whereas bordetella and parainfluenza may need additional treatment. aerosol vaccines, such as R Vaccine, for dogs are also available. Treatment can also include blood-letting, which is an efficient method of combating opportunistic bacterial infections. Kennel cough has been reported to be associated with other types of infections, such as parainfluenza, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and infections caused by ticks.
When what causes kennel cough in dogs is pneumonia, then symptoms tend to appear six weeks after coming into contact with contaminated soil or animal feces. It is very important to isolate the dogs that have pneumonia so that they do not come into contact with other dogs. This can easily be achieved by keeping all live animals at large, especially those with pneumonia. It should be noted that even dogs that remain healthy can contract pneumonia, so it is important to keep your four-legged friends spayed or neutered to prevent infection. The infectious agent that causes kennel cough in dogs is called “parainfluenza” and is responsible for approximately twelve deaths among dogs each year.
If your dog shows early signs of illness, then it is very important to give him a course of antibiotics. The first type of antibiotic used is intravenous pyrazinamide or ipronigin-clavulanate, which are given intravenously. These medications are extremely effective in combating acute or chronic bacterial infections and can be administered two to four times per week. However, because of the risks of side effects associated with these drugs, these medications are only prescribed for dogs who are unresponsive to cough suppressants.
Although most dogs who contract distemper do not die, it can cause serious neurological damage and is particularly life-threatening for puppies less than four months of age. Puppies become prone to distemper infection when they are exposed to contaminated soil or animals during the day. Dogs who contract distemper after being exposed to contaminated animals should be quarantined for one to three days and observed closely. If a diagnosis of distemper is made, your veterinarian will most likely recommend that your dog be given a course of antibiotics. However, even if your dog receives treatment and is cured of distemper, there is no guarantee that the virus will not return; in fact, it can reappear after several weeks if treatment is not continued.
Common viruses that dogs can contract include parainfluenza, distemper, and hepatitis. Treatment involves a combination of immune system boosting, antibiotics, and dietary supplements like pyridoxine, amino acids, vitamin C, and riboflavin. In older dogs, a course of immune suppressants may be recommended. Although kennel cough treatment is highly successful in combating respiratory-related illnesses among dogs, it is important to note that dogs can also contract serious viruses like canine Parvovirus or canine Q fever after being vaccinated.