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Kennel Cough Kit

Resp-Aid & Stimmune

USD $94.90
Kennel Cough Kit USD $94.90 Add to Cart

Vet Tech Rounds: Kennel Cough in Dogs – Lessons From the Vet Clinic

Vet Talks 4 min read
Vet Tech Rounds: Kennel Cough in Dogs – Lessons From the Vet Clinic

Just like there are many strains of the common cold or the flu, there are also many strains of kennel cough. By far the most common cause of kennel cough in dogs is Bordetella bronchiseptica. Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterial infection of the lungs that causes inflammation of the respiratory tract causing a characteristic hacking or ‘honking’ cough.

In most dogs, a kennel cough infection is ‘self-limiting’. This means, just like the common cold, it will run its course and the patient will heal over time. However, in some pets, especially those who are immune-compromised, it can cause more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.

Kennel Cough is very contagious

kennel cough in dogs contagious

Kennel cough is quite contagious. It can be passed easily from dog to dog through close contact. It can also be passed on surfaces that an infected dog has been in contact with, such as toys and dishes.

Kennel cough is quite contagious.

As an example of just how contagious kennel cough can be, many clinics will ask that you keep your pup outside the clinic waiting in the car until the vet is ready to see them. At my previous clinics, we would often perform the entire appointment inside the client’s car if weather permitted. Otherwise, any coughing dog would be brought in through a side door into a room that would then not be used for any other dogs that day until it was properly sanitized.

If you have one dog in your home who is diagnosed with kennel cough, it is very likely that every dog in your home will be infected to some extent. Just like human families when a cold is ‘going around’ how badly infected your pup becomes depends on their immune system. Very old or very young dogs or dogs on immune-suppressing medications may be infected much more than others with more serious side effects.

The Kennel Cough Vaccine helps. Dogs that frequent parks and daycare should get it annually.

Kennel cough vaccine helps dogs

The kennel cough vaccine only protects against one strain of kennel cough, Bordetella bronchiseptica. This vaccine is usually given based on the lifestyle of your dog. If your dog does not socialize with other dogs, the vaccine may not be necessary. However, it is strongly advised that dogs who frequent dog parks or meet-ups receive the vaccination.

There are a few different forms of the vaccine that can be administered in different ways. There is an injectable form, an intranasal form, and an oral form of the vaccine. The kennel cough vaccine is one that should be given annually. Often its efficacy can begin to weaken at around 9 months after administration.

When a dog with Kennel Cough visited a Pet Expo

Kennel cough can often be seen in ‘waves’ at veterinary clinics. In one instance, I recall a dog with kennel cough was unknowingly taken to a pet expo in my town. As one of only two vet clinics in my city at the time, we saw a large number of dogs come in with kennel cough about a week following the expo. Some of these dogs had been vaccinated, but still contracted the infection.

Most dogs recovered very well with supportive treatment, but there were a couple of senior dogs who were very gravely ill and one who came down with severe pneumonia due to the spread of the infection. This dog had not been vaccinated and may have had a much smoother recovery had he been. Luckily, both of these dogs did end up recovering.

Natural remedies for Kennel Cough in dogs

NHV Resp-Aid™ can help relieve symptoms as your pup is fighting kennel cough. We recommend giving it to each dog in the home during a kennel cough infection, even if they are not yet showing symptoms. It can help to strengthen and support the respiratory system and help to keep symptoms minimal.

For a holistic regimen, especially if the dog has had recurrences of Kennel Cough, we would recommend pairing Resp Aid with Stimmune. Stimmune has herbs that have natural antibiotic properties. It helps fight infection and supports the immune system.

The two can be found together in NHV’s Kennel Cough Kit.

The best solution is prevention

As it is with the common cold, Kennel Cough is best prevented by building a strong immune system. Support your pet’s immunity with suitable natural supplements, provide a healthy diet, and keep your dog vaccinated against it if you know she will be going to places like the dog park and doggie daycare. Keep her surroundings clean to keep any bacteria or infection from lingering around.

Frenchie Gus Gus on a tree

Summer is the time to enjoy the sun and the outdoors. I take my Frenchie on many adventures throughout the year and I try to do what I can to keep his immune system strong. But if you know Frenchies you know they love getting in trouble. The allergy season isn’t kind to him either. Between NHV products and a good diet, I have found the right balance for him. Please feel free to reach out to me or one of us here at NHV if you need natural help for Kennel Cough in dogs.

Johanna RVT

Johanna RVT

Johanna is NHV’s in house Registered Veterinary Technician. Technicians are the veterinary equivalent of a human nurse. Johanna has over 10 years of experience in different types of veterinary clinics and hospitals. She has seen and assisted in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions and injuries. She will share her experiences in her monthly blog series “Vet Tech Rounds” to help our extended NHV family learn about common preventable medical cases and other interesting stories of vet clinic life.

Published: May 10, 2019

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