Kennel cough is the generic name given to viral bronchitis in dogs. Just like in human chest infections, some of several viruses and bacteria can lead to this disease. Basically, it affects their upper respiratory system, causing them inhaling secretions of the disease. It is important to understand that even though these dogs can be infected with this disease, they still have a good chance to recover.
In dogs, this disease is generally caused by viruses that can originate from different countries. The most common type that causes kennel cough in dogs is Streptococcus pneumoniae. In humans, the same organism causes strep throat. It spreads easily among the people who know the dogs well as those who have no knowledge about them. Therefore, if your pet dog has this condition, it is important for you to have him checked by a vet immediately so that you can prevent the spread of the infection.
Because of the contagious nature of this disease, it is important for every dog owner to have a vaccination for kennel cough in his dog. However, this vaccination is not advisable to every dog owner. If you do not have time to schedule the regular check-up with your vet, then you can bring your dog to the nearest animal hospital or rescue where they offer vaccines for dogs like this. However, the price of the vaccines is really high. It may cost you hundreds of dollars to give your dog the vaccines. Therefore, it is still a good option to opt for the vaccination once in a while.
The ideal time to give your dog the vaccination is during the peak season because the disease is more contagious during this period. When the temperature of the weather is high, there is a greater tendency for the development of the bacteria. It is also believed that the three weeks preceding the wet season increases the risk of the kennel cough especially for small dogs without any medical supervision.
This disease is caused by a virus that attacks the upper respiratory system. It has an incubation period of two to five days. On the average, it takes from seven to fourteen days for the symptoms to show up. The symptoms include coughing, wheezing, fever, and chest pain. If kennel cough spreads to the lungs and trachea, it is referred to as upper respiratory infections. However, if the disease reaches the neck and throat, it is referred to as transmittable, respiratory infections.
The cough vaccine has been developed by various researchers and health care experts. They are currently working on improving the dosage schedule and on making the manufacturing process less susceptible to artificial production and introduction of additives. One of the recent studies shows that a specific strain of Salmonella, the causative agent of the deadly Staphylococcus aureus infection, can be eliminated through use of this vaccine. This type of research and studies has led to an improved treatment method and a successful introduction of this vaccine into the market.
Kennels can be a very hazardous environment for the dogs if the proper precautions are not taken. For one, most kennels do not allow the dogs to stay in the kennels for long periods of time, let alone allow them to stay outdoors. Also, there are a lot of other infectious agents that can affect the dogs outside the kennels like fleas, ticks, and heartworm. All these increase the risk of developing kennel cough and its complications.
As mentioned above, some of the complications include fever, loss of appetite, loss of energy, pneumonia, and even death. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, visit your veterinarian right away to find out more information about this problem. The most recommended treatment for kennel cough is antibiotics. Your veterinarian may prescribe either intravenous or oral antibiotics for this condition. Some of the commonly prescribed antibiotics include amoxicillin, doxycycline, minocycline, or cefuroxime. Consult your veterinarian for more options and dosage recommendations.