Your dog could catch kennel cough, even outside the kennel!
This article by Stephen Sheldon of the Vail Daily Column explains how dogs can catch kennel cough, even outside the kennel.
Jan. 19, 2011- Kennel cough is one of the most common and contagious diseases of dogs. It is also one of the more controversial dog diseases, both in its' scope of being understood by the public and in the way veterinarians treat and prevent it.
Kennel cough is also called Infectious Tracheobronchitis (ITB). ITB is caused by being exposed to a very common bacteria, Bordetella bronchispetica, or an equally common parainfluenza virus. It can occur in both adult dogs and puppies. Unfortunately, many people think only dogs that spend time in a kennel can catch it, which isn't the case.
First lets look at the disease itself. ITB usually causes mild to moderate coughing and upper respiratory symptoms in dogs. It can develop into serious pneumonia but this rarely occurs. It is almost never fatal. The bacteria that causes it has special stuff on its surface that makes it stick to the lining of respiratory cells.
Treatment is fairly simple and straightforward: Antibiotics for the bacteria and cough suppressants for the cough. Even though it is often deemed a “self-limiting” disease, i.e. one that will go away by itself, almost all veterinarians I know prescribe antibiotics. It is thought that they speed up the healing process. I can already hear my phone ringing from holistic vets calling to voice disapproval of that last sentence. I am still prescribing antibiotics.
For more info and tips to keep your pets healthy this winter, contact us at Bay Glen Animal Hospital.
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