Does Kennel Cough Need Antibiotics

Is There A Kennel Cough Vaccine

Yes. Most kennels require the bordetella vaccine, which is often referred to as the kennel cough vaccine. Vaccines are also available for other viruses that cause kennel cough, including parainfluenza virus and adenovirus 2. Talk to your veterinarian about whether the kennel cough vaccine is appropriate for your dog, and if so, which vaccine is most effective in your geographical area.

Like all vaccines, kennel cough vaccines are not 100% effective, so its good to take other precautions as well, like relying on responsible groomers and kennels that require all dogs to be vaccinated.

Symptoms Of Kennel Cough

Symptoms of kennel cough usually take 3-14 days to develop and then last for 1-3 weeks. Most dogs develop a hacking cough and stay otherwise quite well, but puppies, older dogs, and poorly dogs can develop more serious symptoms such as:

Kennel cough is highly contagious and can spread in the air. Click to enlarge.

How Long Does Dog Pneumonia Last

Recovery from bacterial pneumonia can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The dog should have follow-up x-rays every 2 weeks until the lungs are completely clear, and they made need to continue antibiotics for a week or two more after that to ensure that the bacterial infection is completely eradicated.

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Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis Otherwise Known As Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is a contagious respiratory disease. Dogs can contract kennel cough anywhere large groups of dogs congregate. Common examples are boarding facilities, dog parks, or animal shelters.

Kennel cough occurs when a dog inhales bacteria into the respiratory tract. You might hear kennel cough referred to as Bordetella bacteria or Bordetella bronchiseptica. Thats the name of the bacteria which mixes with another virus to produce kennel cough and other upper respiratory infections. Bordetella bronchiseptica can cause illness and coughing all on its own too.

Due to the various ways infectious bacteria can mix to make kennel cough, you might hear vets refer to kennel cough as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex.

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How Is Kennel Cough Treated

Typically, mild cases of kennel cough are treated with a week or two of rest, but a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection and cough medication to ease the symptoms.

Nebulizers and vaporizers utilizing inhaled antibiotics or bronchodilators have been reported to be beneficial but are usually not prescribed, Dr. Fitzgerald said. Speak to your veterinarian for treatment recommendations. Also, its helpful for owners to use a harness rather than a collar to walk a dog with kennel cough because irritation of the tracheal can aggravate the cough and possibly even cause damage to the trachea. If you have a household with multiple pets and one shows signs of a cough, chances are all dogs in the home have been exposed.

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What Should You Do If You Suspect Kennel Cough Or Other Infectious Disease In Your Facility

First and foremost, it is critical that sick pets in the facility be examined by a veterinarian. It may be necessary to have your veterinarian perform diagnostic tests on sick pets to better understand what is present. Without knowing what is causing illness, it makes it difficult to prevent further illness and ensure pets receive the proper treatment.

If an animal shelter, boarding kennel, or other pet care facility develops an outbreak, the entire facility may need to temporarily shut down. Isolation of sick pets is critical. Pets that have been exposed but are not showing clinical symptoms should also be kept separate from new incoming pets. Based on the configuration of the facility, if you cannot properly separate these groups, closing the facility may be the best option to prevent further spread. Often, facilities will try to separate the sick pets but fail to recognize that exposed pets can be contagious prior to showing clinical symptoms. In fact, it is during this period that they are most infectiouskeeping exposed pets separate from non-exposed pets is critical.

It is also important to understand that exposure does not require direct contact with a sick pet but that pets can be exposed by air flow so any pet that is in a room with the same ventilation as a sick pet is considered exposed.

What Is The Cost For Treating Kennel Cough In Dogs

The cost for treating uncomplicated cases of kennel cough tends to be low, as hospitalization and antibiotics are typically not required. Youll probably just have to pay the cost for a typical veterinary visit.

However, complicated cases can get pricey, as hospitalization, supportive therapies and/or medication, and additional diagnostic testing will add to the bill. The costs vary depending on your individual veterinary care provider as well as your location .

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Is Kennel Cough Contagious For Humans Or Other Pets

Kennel cough is highly contagious among dogs. If your dog has kennel cough, try to keep him completely separated from other dogs, both in the household and out in public, and isolate his food and water bowls, bedding, and toys as well. Wash your hands and clothes immediately after handling your dog or his belongings.

Kennel cough and its triggers are not usually contagious for humans, but there is one exception: bordetella bronchiseptica can be transmitted from dogs to immunocompromised people. However, this is extremely rare. Talk to your veterinarian and your physician if you or a family member have a compromised immune system dogs suspected to have a case of kennel cough should be isolated from compromised people until the infection has cleared.

Kennel cough can be contagious to certain other household pets, like cats. However, just like transmission to humans, this is highly unlikely. The most susceptible would be very young kittens and cats with severely compromised immune systems. If you suspect your dog could have kennel cough, isolate him from at-risk kittens and cats.

Video Answer: How To Cure Kennel Cough

If your dog is hacking away or constantly making noises that make it sound like he’s choking on something, he may have a case of kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis.

Although kennel cough can sound terrible, most of the time it is not a serious condition, and most dogs will recover without treatment.

Kennel cough is VERY contagious.

It is named Kennel cough because it can quickly spread through a kennel and infect every dog.

Kennel cough can be transmitted by aerosols released when a sick animal coughs, by direct contact with an infected animal, or by the sharing of contaminated objects.

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So When Can I Walk My Dog Again After Kennel Cough

If your dog has kennel cough, you shouldnt walk them around other dogs until they have been clear of symptoms for two days. This is because they may still be able to spread the infection. Although it can be frustrating if your pup seems unaffected by their occasional cough, its important to ensure they arent responsible for an outbreak of sick dogs.

The symptoms of kennel cough usually last for 2-3 weeks but may be up to a month. Be patient, and soon youll be out with your fur buddy enjoying walkies safely again!

What Happens If Kennel Cough Goes Untreated

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How Likely Is The Vaccine To Prevent Kennel Cough

Like the human flu vaccine, the kennel cough vaccine does not prevent illness, it reduces the likelihood and severity of the illness. The vaccine makes it more likely that your dog will recover on his own if he gets sick without the need for veterinary intervention

Occasionally, dogs will develop a mild version of kennel cough shortly after vaccination . This is less likely in dogs who have already built up immunity from either previous vaccination or exposure.

It is important to distinguish between kennel cough, similar to the common cold, and the canine flu, which can be much more severe but is less prevalent. The canine flu vaccination is a separate vaccine and you should ask your veterinarian if the flu has been found in your area to help determine whether your dog is at risk. It is advisable to vaccinate your dog against the flu if it has been detected in your area and your dog is exposed to other dogs.

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When To See A Doctor

Owners may want to take a dog to see a veterinarian if the dog has a persistent cough after coming home from a boarding service or participating in activities with other canines. They can examine the dog and perform conjunctival and pharyngeal swabs, then test them for kennel cough.

You can also take your dog to a doctor if you are interested in having the dog receive a kennel cough vaccination. It is typically included in those given to puppies and as a booster. You can find vaccines for preventing infection by the bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria in an injectable form as well as one that you administer through mouth drops. The vaccine can be administered as an injection or a nasal spray to dogs as young as three weeks.

However, even with vaccination, its important to let your veterinarian know if your dog starts coughing. Even if its not kennel cough, it could be a sign of an illness that needs medical attention right away, such as:

• Asthma

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How To Protect Your Dog

Luckily, Kennel Cough is easy to prevent just talk to your vet about Kennel Cough vaccinations.

The vaccine doesnt provide 100% protection, but it does help to keep your dog safe, and will lessen the severity of their symptoms.

The vaccine lasts about a year. There are lots of different strains of Kennel Cough, and dogs can get it more than once – just like the common cold in humans – so your dog will need to be vaccinated annually to maintain their level of protection.

What Antibiotics Are Used For Kennel Cough

Many antibiotics can aid in the eradication of the bordetella bacteria causing your pups respiratory discomfort. The top five antibiotics used for kennel cough are:

For more in-depth information on these top five antibiotics for kennel cough, check out our blog on kennel cough antibiotics. Today we will investigate the definition, uses, and efficacy of the antibiotic doxycycline for a dogs kennel cough.

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Should I Vaccinate My Dog Against Kennel Cough

Some of the infections that can cause kennel cough are included in the basic vaccinations dogs need to have as a puppy, and subsequent boosters. These are canine adenovirus type two, canine parainfluenza virus, canine distemper, and canine influenza.

But the most common bacteria present in kennel cough is Bordetella bronchiseptica, which can be given as a separate vaccine through nasal drops or injection. However, as there are many strains of the infection, it cannot guarantee protection but at the very least should lessen symptoms. Vaccination is not useful in dogs already incubating kennel cough.

The nasal vaccine for Bordetella bronchiseptica can be given when your dog is as young as three weeks, with it providing protection for about 12 months. It takes four days for it to become effective, and is considered the fastest method of providing immunity.

Although protection is not guaranteed, many boarding kennels require dogs staying with them to have the Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine.

Dangers Of Utilizing Antibiotics To Address Kennel Cough

As with all medicines in your pets, antibiotics for kennel cough can often result in adversarial reactions.

Pay attention to the following:

• Use warning when treating a canine or cat with liver or kidney elements with antibiotics.
• In some conditions, additional extreme undesirable negative effects can happen. Maintain an in depth eye in your pet, notably all by means of the first few days on antibiotics.

Listed beneath are numerous additional dos and donts on the subject of antibiotics for canines and cats for kennel cough.

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What Can I Give Dog To Soothe Kennel Cough

Honey can be a great home remedy for kennel cough as it can help soothe your dog’s throat and minimize coughing. You can give your dog one-half tablespoon to 1 tablespoon of honey mixed with a little warm water in a bowl. This can be offered up to three times a day depending on how often your dog is coughing.

Can Kennel Cough Go Away On Its Own

Mild and moderate cases of kennel cough may go away on their own after a while, but you shouldnt wait around to find out. Kennel cough is highly contagious and can spread quickly between pets during the incubation period. If you think your dog has kennel cough, schedule an appointment with your vet to get treatment started as soon as possible. Dogs with kennel cough need plenty of rest, hydration, and the right nutrients. In some cases, your vet may also recommend antibiotics, oxygen therapy, or IVs to help treat kennel cough. Because kennel cough can vary so much from case to case, taking your dog to the vet is important.

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Video Answer: How To Spot And Treat Kennel Cough In Dogs

It often starts with your dog making noises like he’s trying to clear his throat. This can include a retching sound and he might bring up some fluid . Over a day or so, this usually progresses to bouts of a hacking cough. Some dogs will cough so forcefully they can vomit

While Bordetella is the most common cause of kennel cough in dogs, it is not the only one.

Other bacteria and viruses, including the parainfluenza virus, can also cause kennel cough, which means that even vaccinated dogs can get kennel cough from another source.

How Can Dogs Catch Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is airborne and highly contagious, which is why it can spread through kennels quickly. It is also transmitted with bacteria on toys, food bowls or other shared objects.

A dogs respiratory system is designed to protect against the invasion of infection, but certain situations and environments leave them more vulnerable to illness. These include stress caused by crowded environments, exposure to heavy dust or cigarette smoke, cold temperatures and poor ventilation. Kennel cough has an incubation period of two to 14 days, and some dogs can be carriers of the infection for months without developing symptoms.

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Summary Of Kennel Cough In Dogs

Kennel cough is highly contagious, and although its rarely lethal, its very uncomfortable for dogs, and can be dangerous for puppies or dogs with compromised immune systems. Vaccines and preventative measures can greatly reduce the risk of infection, so speak to your veterinarian about a suitable preventative plan for your dog.

How Do Dogs Catch Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is extremely contagious, and your dog can become infected after exposure to a sick dog, or from contact with contaminated surfaces or people. Dogs often pick up kennel cough from boarding and day-care facilities, dog parks, or other common canine gathering areas. An infected dog may not show kennel cough signs for 2 to 14 days. Dogs who have recovered from kennel cough can still be contagious to other dogs for one to three months.

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