The bacteria and viruses that cause the infection become airborne when infected dogs cough, sneeze, bark and shed dander. These can stay alive for up to two weeks. They attach to dust particles until they're inhaled by another dog. This means they can easily reach other dogs. Kennel cough can also be spread via shared items like toys and food bowls, or even on sticks and posts outside.
The bacteria can survive on surfaces for up to two days. Dogs are more likely to catch kennel cough if they touch or go near infected dogs, even if they just sniff them.
This is why infection spreads so quickly in places where there are lots of dogs close together, like doggy daycare, kennels and vet clinics.
You must isolate your dog as soon as you suspect they may have kennel cough. This limits the spread of the infection.
Dogs can spread kennel cough during the incubation period, which can last between two and 14 days. Some dogs carry kennel cough without showing any symptoms.
Occasionally, the infection is only caused by a bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica. Dogs with this strain of kennel cough can be contagious for between six and 14 weeks.
Kennel cough is caused by a number of bacteria and viruses. Most of them can't be passed on to humans. The main bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica can infect humans, but only those with weakened immune systems. Even then, it's very rare. It also includes cover for disease and free, hour online vet access with PawSquad. Protect your dog today with Direct Line.
Find out more Accept. Pet insurance Multi-pet insurance Make a claim Manage your policy Get a quote. Pet Insurance. Jump to: What are the symptoms of kennel cough? What does kennel cough sound like? How is kennel cough diagnosed? Some signs that your dog may be developing a more severe case or have something more concerning, such as canine influenza, are: fever, colored nasal discharge, lethargy, lack of appetite, and increased effort when breathing.
If you believe that your dog has contracted kennel cough, it is best to consult with your veterinarian, as some cases require medication. Dogs come in contact with kennel cough from being in crowded conditions, such as boarding kennels, training facilities, and dog shows.
If a dog is exposed to kennel cough, he usually begins to show signs in three-to-seven days. Kennel cough is primarily seen during the spring and summer, but can occur at any time when a large group of dogs are together. If you have a dog that becomes ill, it is best to isolate that infected dog until at least two weeks after the last cough.
Once kennel cough has come into a kennel, it is best to clear out the kennel for one-to-two weeks and clean with common disinfectants such as bleach. To help prevent your dog from becoming infected with kennel cough, there are several precautions that can be taken.
After coming home from shows, you should disinfect crates, bedding, and bowls. Not everyone that comes in contact with another person with a cold will get a cold but, if stressed or immune deficient, the person is much more likely to develop clinical symptoms. The same is true for pets. Regardless of how nice or comfortable a pet boarding facility, animal shelter, grooming salon or veterinary hospital is, these situations often create some level of stress.
This is where minimizing stress as much as possible becomes important. Kennel cough, as with many other infectious conditions, can be transmitted through multiple routes. Spread through the air. Kennel cough, as an airborne disease, is primarily spread through the air. When an infected dog coughs, sneezes, barks, or even sheds dander he releases thousands of microscopic contaminates into the air.
The aerosolized bacteria and viruses can remain viable alive and able to infect in the air for extended periods of time, even for weeks in some instances, and, although rarely, even longer. These virtually invisible pathogens cling to tiny dust particles, riding on air currents, and traveling throughout the environment until inhaled by another host.
Contact with contaminated objects or people. If an infected dog drinks from a watering dish, picks up a toy or stick, sleeps on a bed, and then another dog comes in contact with these objects, he will most likely be exposed to kennel cough.
People, and their clothing, can also serve as a source of transmission if they do not disinfect their hands and clothing between pets. Bacteria, like Bordetella, can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours, ready and waiting to be transmitted to another unsuspecting host to continue the cycle of infection. Exposure does not necessarily mean infection but it does open the door for a pet to transmit the condition. Direct contact with infected dogs.
Be careful who your dog associates with and where he hangs out! Touching noses, playing with friends, or just breathing the same air as an infected dog can cause your best friend to develop kennel cough. Dog daycare and dog boarding facilities, kennels, veterinary hospitals, dog grooming salons, and other pet businesses where numerous dogs are coming and going or kept in close quarters must take extra precautions to protect their facilities from the transmission of kennel cough.
This is a classic symptom. The cough is generally dry although sometimes mucous can be expelled and may also include sneezing. The cough is often constant, persistent, and can be unsettling. Some dogs may experience a coughing fit every few minutes. Others may constantly be coughing as they are walking, lying down, or going about their daily activities. The cough is probably the most uncomfortable aspect for dogs and negatively impacts their quality of life. If the dog develops a fever, he may have contracted a more severe form of the condition.
Some dogs with canine cough appear perfectly normal and healthy, other than the fact that they are coughing all the time. Not all dogs with this illness appear lethargic. Some do, while others appear perfectly normal.
If the dog is lethargic, he will have decreased energy, poor appetite, lack of interest in activities he is usually excited about, minimal motivation, etc. Nasal discharge and watery, runny eyes can be symptoms of kennel cough. In most cases, the discharge will be clear but sometimes it can be slightly cloudy or discolored, the latter of which is usually a sign of secondary infection.
Most dogs recover from kennel cough within 3—4 weeks. If a dog has a compromised immune system, is a young puppy or a senior, it may take up to 6 weeks for a complete recovery. However, the dog may still be a carrier of the disease for several weeks after he has recovered. The answer to exactly how long kennel cough lasts truly depends on the individual dog, but 3—6 weeks is a common timeframe.
For pet owners and pets, the impact of kennel cough can be quite significant. The pet will be considered infectious until fully recovered which limits his ability to interact with other pets in the household or attend any group play or training activities the pet is involved in. This can be difficult for many pet owners who have multiple pets. It can also be transmitted via touching noses and by sharing dog toys, food bowls or other communal objects.
The incubation period for kennel cough is between 2 and 14 days, during which time the dog will be contagious. Some dogs can be carriers for months without exhibiting symptoms. Kennel cough usually clears up within three weeks. Sometimes it can take up to six weeks to clear up for older dogs or those with existing medial conditions.
If your dog seems otherwise perky and is eating well, you should be able to use home remedies to make your dog more comfortable. This includes keeping them in a humid area you can use a humidifier to help and avoiding using a collar as this may aggravate their windpipe further.
If you're worried about your dog, take them to see the vet. The vet may be able to prescribe antibiotics for kennel cough to target the Bordetella bacteria.
Protection against some of the viruses that can cause kennel cough is included in puppy and booster vaccinations. These viruses include canine influenza, canine distemper, canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus type two.
Your vet can also provide a vaccination against the main bacterial cause, Bordetella — this can be a nasal spray or an injection. Many boarding kennels and doggy day-cares require dogs to have the vaccination before their stay.
However, because kennel cough has a wide range of causes and strains, this vaccine cannot guarantee protection for your dog. Yes, dogs can get kennel cough more than once as there are a variety of strains. Kennel cough is a type of respiratory infection rather than a specific disease and so it has a range of possible causes. Most of the canine viruses cannot be transmitted to humans. However, the main bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica can infect humans, though this is very rare and only a risk factor for people with weakened immune systems.
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