WHAT IS IT?
Kennel cough is a bronchitis characterized by a harsh, hacking cough which most people describe as sounding like “something stuck in my dog’s throat.” It is analogous to a chest cold for humans but can be serious in young dogs, or dogs with poor immune systems.
HOW INFECTION OCCURS?
The normal respiratory tract has substantial safeguards
against invading infectious agents. The most important of these is
probably what is called the “mucociliary
escalator.” This safeguard consists of tiny hair-like structures called
cilia, which protrude from the cells lining the respiratory tract, and a coat
of mucus over them. The cilia beat in a coordinated fashion. Debris, including
infectious agents, gets trapped in the sticky mucus and the cilia move the
mucus upward towards the throat where the collection of debris and mucus may be
coughed up and/or swallowed.
The mucociliary escalator is
damaged by the following:
Without this protective mechanism, invading bacteria, especially
Bordetella bronchiseptica may simply march
down the airways unimpeded.
Bordetella bronchiseptica
has some tricks of its own as well:
Because it is common for Bordetella
to be accompanied by at least one other infections agent (such as one of the
viruses listed above), “Kennel Cough” is actually a complex of infections,
rather than infection by one agent.
Classically, dogs get infected when they are kept in a
crowded situation with poor air circulation but lots of warm air (i.e. a
boarding kennel, vaccination clinic, obedience class, local park, animal
shelter, or grooming parlor). In reality, most causes of coughing that begin
acutely in the dog are due to infectious causes and usually represent some form
of Kennel Cough.
THE INCUBATION PERIOD IS 2 - 14 DAYS
HOW CONTAGIOUS IS IT?
Bordetella infection can be picked up by rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs,
cats (if they are very young and housed in groups), and other dogs. It is not
contagious to humans though it is closely related to Bordetella
pertussis, the agent of Whooping Cough. Among
dogs it is fairly contagious depending on stress level, vaccination status, and
exposure to minor viruses.
Our hospital recommends keeping all dogs that are groomed,
board frequently or that participate in obedience classes or any canine
competition, current on their Bordetella
vaccinations every 6 months. Puppies are given the initial boosters whether
they will be exposed or not. This helps
in the event that you suddenly need to board your pet a few years down the
road, his immune system will not be completely naïve when he receives the
booster vaccine required for boarding.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
There isn’t ‘cure’ for Kennel Cough. We treat the symptoms
to help ease the dog’s irritation and coughing. We usually dispense antibiotics
to prevent secondary infection and cough suppressants to provide comfort during
recovery.
WHEN IS IT A SERIOUS CONDITION?
In very young puppies, especially those with a recent
shipping history (i.e. pet store puppies) are especially prone to severe cases
of infectious tracheobronchitis (frequently
progressing to pneumonia).
In dogs where the distemper virus is involved (usually
shelter or pet store puppies), there is tremendous potential for serious
consequences.
VACCINATION OPTIONS:
There are basically two options for Kennel cough vaccination:
injectable and intranasal.
Injectable is a good choice for aggressive dogs who may bite if their muzzle is approached. It
provides good systemic immunity as long as two initial doses are given (with an
annual booster). Injectable vaccination may only lead to less severe infection
and not complete prevention.
We mainly use the intranasal vaccination. Starting at 8 to 12 weeks and revaccinate 3-4 weeks later.
The vaccine is then boostered every 6 months
according to the dog’s risk of exposure. The advantage here is that the local
immunity is stimulated right at the site where the natural infection would be
trying to take hold.
It takes 4 days to generate a solid immune response after
intranasal vaccination, so it is best if vaccination is given at least 4 days
prior to the exposure. Some dogs will have some sneezing or nasal
discharge in the week following intranasal vaccination. As a general rule,
nasal vaccination provides faster immunity than injectable vaccination.
Parainfluenza, Adenovirus type 2, and canine distemper, all members of
the Kennel Cough complex, are all covered by the standard DHPP vaccine, the
basic vaccine for dogs. Adenovirus Type 2 serum
also immunizes against Adenovirus Type 1, the agent of infectious canine
hepatitis.
VACCINATION IS NOT
USEFUL IN A DOG
ALREADY INCUBATING KENNEL COUGH
WHAT IF IT DOESN’T IMPROVE?
Sometimes the symptoms get worse before they get better,
but generally you should see improvement after one week on medication. If no
improvement has been observed in this time, please call for an appointment.
Please call us if you have any questions. (281) 444-8387