Kennel cough is a highly contagious inflammation of the throat and nose in dogs. Kennel cough can be compared well with colds and flu in humans.
Kennel cough
often manifests itself when dogs have been together in large groups such as in a kennel (and boarding house, exhibition, dog school, etc.). The dogs are often restless on such occasions, bark more and are therefore more susceptible to infections that can easily spread through the air in the form of fine water droplets (when sneezing, barking and coughing).
The causative agents of kennel cough are: Viruses (Parainfluenza, Adenovirus type 2[CAV2] and the Distemper Virus) usually in combination with a bacteria (Bordetella Bronchoseptica).
Often the infection is mild with the only symptoms being a clearing of the throat, some coughing and sometimes retching with some mucus. You would sometimes think that something has gotten stuck in the throat, rather than an infectious disease.
If the dog does not have a fever and is not listless, then there is rest and the occasional spoon honey or cough syrup enough to heal. Furthermore, easily digestible food is recommended and make sure that the leash is not pulled (temporarily let out with a breast collar). Avoid stress, excitement and barking as much as possible.
If your dog has kennel cough, it is so social to inform the owners of the dogs that your dog has had contact with. Also, don’t get back in touch too soon, as a dog that has no clinical signs can still spread the infection.
Depending on the dog’s natural resistance and condition, he may be more or less sick with Kennel cough. As with the flu and cold in humans (think of the elderly and babies), one dog is worse than the other. If there is a pus-like nasal discharge, fever, listlessness, lack of appetite, your vet will give the dog a course of antibiotics prescribe to serious complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis to prevent. The infection can also become chronic and very difficult to cure.
In case of a sick dog, do not forget to keep its environment as dust-free as possible and to ventilate a lot. This does not mean that the dog may be in a draft!
How can you prevent kennel cough as best as possible? At the standard vaccinations are also the main viral components of kennel cough. Unfortunately, these viruses mutate quite quickly and then this vaccination does not offer 100% protection (just like with the flu shot for humans).
A separate inoculation against the Bordetella virus is usually required when you want to bring your dog to a guest house When there is a nasal vaccination is given, it is valid for half a year. A subcutaneous vaccination should be given twice with an interval of one month and then once a year is sufficient.
If your dog comes into frequent contact with other dogs during the summer period for another reason, an extra vaccination will not hurt either. A small disadvantage of beautiful summer weather is that the causes of Kennel cough also benefit very well.