What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel Cough is the common name for Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD), also called infectious tracheobronchitis or Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI). It’s a highly infectious illness that affects the canine respiratory tract.

Dogs most at risk of contracting this disease are those exposed to settings where many dogs gather or are housed; kennels and shelters, dog parks, daycare facilities, grooming salons. It can also spread through communal dog water bowls (such as those supplied at dog parks or cafes).

Recognising Kennel Cough

If a dog is infected they will cough with distinctive dry, hacking cough and gagging that may sound like the dog has something stuck in their throat. Symptoms may be mild in dogs, particularly those that have been vaccinated against Kennel Cough. However, symptoms can progress (on rare occasions) into life-threatening pneumonia in other dogs, especially puppies and geriatric/old and immunocompromised dogs. Unvaccinated dogs can also develop severe disease.

It is very important to recognize the symptoms early of Kennel Cough as it is highly contagious amongst dogs. Infected dogs should be isolated and follow prescribed veterinary treatment. Vaccinated dogs tend to have a milder, shorter illness.

Symptoms:

● Persistent dry, hacking cough: May begin following a short period of vomiting.

● Coughing throughout the night

● Retching, gagging with the production of white foam

● Dog coughs when gentle pressure applied to their throat (trachea)

Severe symptoms requiring immediate veterinary treatment:

● Lethargy

● Loss of appetite

● Fever

● Labored/difficulty breathing.

What causes Kennel Cough or URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)

Multiple bacteria and viruses combined cause Kennel Cough. These often include;:

- Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria - possibly one of the commonest causes, and one which vaccination covers.

- Canine adenovirus

- Parainfluenza virus

- Mycoplasma & other unidentified microorganisms (many of which we cannot vaccinate against).

How is it spread?

Dogs contract Kennel Cough when exposed to the respiratory secretions of an infected dog. These secretions can be from coughing, sneezing, sharing water & food bowls, as well as objects such as toys and bedding. Kennel Cough exposure is most common in places where many dogs congregate, where there is limited ventilation, and where there is warm, moist air present. Examples of places where Kennel Cough exposure can typically occur include:

● Animal shelters

● Boarding kennels

● Dog daycare facilities

● Grooming facilities

● Dog parks, communal dog bowls in parks and cafes

This is why many facilities will ask for proof of up-to-date vaccinations for your dog, which includes Kennel Cough vaccine, before allowing your dog to be admitted into their facilities.

Incubation period

Dogs may develop Kennel Cough approximately 3 to 4 days after exposure, however, be aware they may not show all or some of the symptoms initially.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Kennel Cough diagnosis can be made by your veterinarian based on your dog’s clinical signs and history. Your veterinarian may treat your dog with a course of antibiotics, plus supportive care at home, in isolation from other animals. More severe cases require further treatment from your vet. Cough suppressants also help alleviate signs. Check with your veterinarian first. Identifying the underlying bacterium or viruses aren’t necessary. Only in limited circumstances will diagnostic testing be recommended;

● Rarely, a dog may develop pneumonia which can become life-threatening

● If your dog is unresponsive to initial & supportive care

● Dog with signs of systemic disease or to rule out other infectious conditions such as dog flu (canine influenza).

Which dogs are most at risk of developing complications from Kennel Cough?

- Puppies - because they have immature immune systems and may not be fully vaccinated yet.

- Geriatric dogs - older dogs can have a decreased immune defense and may have other diseases such as heart conditions, diabetes, renal conditions or cancer.

- Pregnant dogs -may have a lower immune system and are also carrying precious cargo!

- Dogs with pre-existing respiratory problems and immunocompromised dogs - some dogs may have pre-existing illness, conditions, or respiratory diseases (tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, severe respiratory allergies.

Recovery

All dogs that have Kennel Cough must be isolated until they have fully recovered. Normally, dogs recover after one to two weeks of diagnosis and treatment, for mild cases. It is important they receive plenty of rest and hydration. Steam or humidifying a room (such as a warm bathroom) may help ease their coughing symptoms. (If vaccinated dogs that develop Kennel Cough may experience a milder, shorter illness, which can be a few days to a week).

Rarely, severe and complicated cases of Kennel Cough can cause recovery to be extended much longer (weeks long) and may require hospitalisation, intravenous fluids and antibiotics as well as possible oxygen therapy. They may require admission into an emergency referral hospital for treatment. Putting any pressure on a recovering dog’s trachea may cause a coughing fit and can cause them great discomfort, so consider not using a collar and leash on your dog during their recovery from Kennel Cough. Instead, if restraint is needed, consider using a chest harness.

When is it safe for my dog to mix with other dogs after infection?

Shedding of the virus may last for one to three weeks after infection. It is recommended an infected dog is isolated from other dogs during this time. Ask your veterinarian when it is safe for your dog to mix with other dogs again.

Preventing Kennel Cough & Vaccination

A Kennel Cough vaccination protects against Bordatella bronchiseptica bacteria which is the main bacterial cause of Kennel Cough, and includes 2 viral vaccines for Adenovirus and Parainfluenza virus.

Oral and Intranasal vaccines are a ‘live vaccine’, meaning the vaccine contains an avirulent vaccine strain of Bordatella. This vaccine sometimes causes mild coughing and sneezing a few days after vaccination, which is the body’s natural reaction to the vaccine (immune response). An alternative to the live vaccine is a ‘killed’ injectable vaccine.

Kennel Cough vaccination (also called C5 when combined with distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus vaccine)) is highly recommended for dogs that who congregate often with other groups of dogs such as in dog parks, who attend grooming salons, go to Boarding Kennels or dog day centres. It is mandatory for dogs to be vaccinated against Kennel Cough if going into Boarding Kennels or attending Dog Day Care. 

How effective is the Kennel Cough vaccine?

Whilst Kennel Cough vaccination is very effective against severe illness, it does not prevent infection - much like a flu or COVID vaccine. It is still possible for dogs to have mild and short-lived signs of Kennel Cough even with vaccination, it remains possible for a dog to develop signs of URTI (Kennel Cough) from other pathogens. The benefit of many, or all dogs being vaccinated is herd immunity, a lesser risk of large outbreaks in the community and milder forms of the illness.

Administering Kennel Cough vaccine

Kennel Cough vaccination is given in three ways - all cause an immune response in the body with a production of antibodies that circulate in the blood. These antibodies attack an infection if it occurs. It should only be administered by a registered veterinarian, who will be able to record your dog’s vaccination on their medical records and provide a certified vaccination certificate if needed (to your Boarding Kennel or Dog Day Care centre).

- Orally: Oral Bronchishield, squirted into the dog’s mouth via a syringe into the cheek pouch. This allows immunity to form in the mucous membranes of the dog’s windpipe, throat and nose, being the first line of attack from infection.

- Intra-nasal: An intra-nasal nose spray, it is the most commonly used form, it has a fast onset of immunity, possibly within 2 to 3 days.

- Injected: There are a number of different manufacturers of injectable KC, given under the skin via needle and syringe by your vet.

Oral and Intranasal vaccines are pain-free, and provide a more effective vaccine - stimulating the immune system more broadly, whereas the injectable vaccine can sting but can be used for dogs which have facial aversion, but do not stimulate all aspects of immunity. 

All three forms of vaccine are effective and have been approved by the Australian Veterinary/regulatory authorities (APVMA), so should therefore be accepted by all Boarding Kennels in Australia. Please be aware that most boarding kennels require vaccination at a minimum of 14 days (a fortnight) prior to your pet boarding in their facility. It is therefore recommended to book your dog in advance at your vet.

If you suspect your dog may have Kennel Cough, please phone your local vet first and let them know about your pet’s symptoms. This will help your vet make arrangements for examining your pet safely whilst preventing infecting other pets in their facility.

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