[Espi]

So, my roomie just informed my that her two dogs have kennel cough I'm not to Familiar with it. I'm sure my dogs will get it even though everybody is up to date on vax. Has anyone here had any expericance with kennel cough?? If you have could I pick your brain about it?? Thanks in advance, Espi!

[DoggieVogue]

When I first brought my puppy home last year, he had it. The vet gave him antibiotics and it took him a few weeks to get rid of it. He coughed really bad and had a runny nose. I'm not sure what all you want to know. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

[Yogi]

Canine Kennel Cough Treatment

this should help and also provide info on how to treat it.
This is not that uncommon. Unfortunately the term "kennel" sometimes confuses people. It is in fact an airborne virus that can travel up to a mile.
So if a dog down the street has it, it is possible that a dog up to a mile away can contract it.
Good Luck.

[Lara's mom]

Would having had the recommended preventative for kennel cough not stop a dog from getting it?

[Bacis Dad]

That depends on how long ago the vaccine was given and the dogs own immunity... It is unlikely if, a dog was vaccinated in the last 6 mos, but still possible.

[Yogi]

the bordatella vaccine as Bacis Dad noted is only good for a few months. Generally it is given when a dog is to be kenneled. Professional kennels require the dogs to be up on all vaccinations and require a bordatella vaccination. Unfortunately though, it is still possible on occasion to contract it.
Most vets generally do not list this as one of the yearly vaccines as most times you get this only when a dog is going to be kenneled where they are in such close proximity to other dogs.

[Lara's mom]

I think that Lara got her kennel cough through something that was squirted up her nose. Am I mistaken or was that for kennel cough? If not, what would it have been?

[Yogi]

for mild cases this is probably what was given.

The Veterinary Use of Aminophylline or Theophylline (Slo-Phylline, Theo-Dur) in Pets
For severe cases, injections are given.

[Lara's mom]

The thing is, she didn't have kennel cough when she got the nose squirt thing. Should she have had a vaccine?

[Yogi]

What was the reason she got the inhalant for? Did she have some kind of congestion?

[Bacis Dad]

It sounds like you got the intranasal bordatella vaccination. Its a normal vaccine just given through the nose, thats a normal way to receive it.

[Lara's mom]

O.k. Thanks. I feel much better now!!!

[Mr. Vega]

Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis, AKA Kennel Cough ---

So, this little disease causes a lot of headaches among vets and owners alike. Traditionally, it is caused by a primary infection with a virus - canine adenovirus-2 or canine parainfluenza. Both of these viruses are vaccinated against (well, most of the time) when your dog receives a distemper vaccine. The DHPP - stands for distemper, hepatovirus (aka adenovirus-2), parvovirus, and parainfluenza.

The virus is inhaled and makes it's way down into the alveoli of the lungs where all of the gas exchange happens. It multiplies and spreads all throughout the lungs, causing havoc and disruption of normal lung function. In response to all the irritation, the body responds with massive inflammation throughout the lungs. This is where the Bordetella bacteria step in. All of that havoc and irritation going on leaves the immune status of the lungs a little compromised = perfect opportunity for bacteria to come right in and set up shop. Now, bacteria being to proliferate and release a little endotoxin of their own (while the virus is still doing its thing as well). The lung, in response, starts to make a bunch of mucous so it can try and cough all this crap up = same as when you get sick and start hacking up all sorts of colorful, nasty stuff.

So, by themselves, the primary invaders (viruses) aren't usually a big deal and experiments/studies show that they resolve pretty quick. However, it's now shown that kennel cough can be initiated without the help of a virus. Bordetella bronchiseptica (the usual suspect bacteria) can be the first and only culprit that causes this disease.

Treatment and resolution kinda depends on the case. It can be very mild with very few clinical signs to like hardcore, severe disease. In those instances, I would expect a vet to not only prescribe the antibiotics but some form of codeine for cough relief as well. Some vets speculate that the milder cases can easily be resolved by just isolating the animal and restricting exercise. If it's a bad infection, there are quite a few antibiotics that should clear it all right up in 2-3 weeks.

I think I've heard of using a nebulizer in some of the really serious cases, but, that would have to be one seriously infected dog.

[!dogbreeds]

lat year my dog was also suffering from this problem,just give him proper injections or medicine and he will get ok.

[james786]

Kennel cough, as said above, is very contagious. And your vet's right-it's highly likely your dog got it at the groomer, since it was an encounter with other unvaccinated dogs. In all fairness, I pass on that vaccine for my dogs. BUT both of them are short-haired, don't require grooming, rarely go to the vet (I worked there, I usually just pick up my vaccs) and so don't encounter questionable dogs