Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Symptoms
• Part 2 of 2: Treatment
• Tips
• Warnings

Kennel cough is an infectious disease that a dog can contract when interacting with a large number of other dogs. Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is an upper respiratory disease with a high probability of infection in dogs. The most common pathogens that cause kennel cough are parainfluenza virus, bordetella bronchiseptics and mycoplasma, adenovirus (types 1 and 2), reovirus (types 1, 2 and 3) and canine herpesvirus.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Symptoms

1. 1 Learn about risk factors. Nursery cough is highly contagious. If your dog walks with other dogs in the park or has been in the kennel for a while, he has a high risk of contracting this disease.
2. 2 Pay attention to coughing. A dog with this infection may suddenly develop a cough of varying severity. It can be a mild cough or a painful paroxysmal cough that sometimes provokes vomiting.
   • The dog may cough as if it choked on something and is trying to get rid of a foreign body in its throat. See if anything is stuck in your pet's throat, such as a stick or bone.
   • An alternative way to identify a foreign body in your dog's throat is to offer the dog its favorite treat. A dog with a foreign object in its throat will not be able to eat the treat. If the dog swallows food without problems, then there are no foreign objects in its throat.
3. 3 Vomiting urge. Just like a sore throat in humans with the flu, a dog with a kennel cough may vomit. With this disease, gagging can occur, which is similar to attacks of suffocation, but is actually a cough. In addition, vomiting of clear liquid may occur, which not is the result of indigestion.
   • In some dogs, this symptom is so pronounced that the dog begins to cough up a white mucous foam.
   • If you notice bile or undigested food residues from the stomach in the vomit of a pet, then you are unlikely to be dealing with a kennel cough. This is most likely a sign of another medical condition.
4. 4 Pay attention to the general condition of your pet. Some dogs with a kennel cough are not bothered by anything other than an unpleasant cough. Other dogs may be lethargic and may refuse food.
   • How do you know if your dog actually has a kennel cough? Get a professional diagnosis by visiting your veterinarian. If you notice that your pet has become lethargic or has not eaten within 24 hours, be sure to visit your veterinarian.

Part 2 of 2: Treatment

1. 1 Isolate your dog. Nursery cough is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted by airborne droplets. If you think your dog has a kennel cough, it's important to isolate it from other dogs.
   • A dog with a kennel cough should not be taken for a walk.
   • Other dogs who live in the same household as a sick dog are at risk. However, if the diagnosis is made later, when the disease has taken a serious turn, there is no need to keep other dogs away from the sick pet.
2. 2 Take your dog to the vet. Do this as soon as possible. The veterinarian will make the correct diagnosis and tell you if it is actually a kennel cough and not some other more serious condition. In addition, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment.
   • Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination. He will measure the temperature, assess the condition of the lymph nodes in the throat, check the throat for foreign objects, and listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope.
   • In the absence of heart murmurs and with severe symptoms of kennel cough, the doctor will diagnose and prescribe treatment. In this case, most likely, the doctor will not conduct additional expensive examinations. If the treatment does not work, it is likely that further testing will be needed.
   • When you call to make an appointment with your veterinarian, tell them that you suspect your dog has a kennel cough. When you arrive at your appointment, you will most likely be asked to wait outside for your turn. This is to avoid infecting other dogs that are waiting in line.
3. 3 Get antibiotics if needed. Your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics for your dog. Follow your doctor's recommendations.
   • Antibiotics are not prescribed in all cases. The cause of the disease can be a viral infection, in which case antibiotics will be ineffective, because the dog's immune system must fight the virus itself. Unfortunately, it is impossible to distinguish bacterial from viral infection without additional examination.
   • On the other hand, if your dog is unable to fight the infection on its own, or if your pet has a fever or signs of chest congestion, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It is possible that a secondary bacterial infection developed against the background of a primary infection (which can be viral or bacterial). In this case, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.
4. 4 Take your dog to the bathroom with you while you shower (not in the shower itself), inhaling the steam can help calm a cough. Your dog should be in the bathroom for a few minutes with windows and doors closed. Five to ten minutes will be plenty of time, but be careful not to burn your pet.
   • Moist steam reduces swelling, helps to eliminate stagnant mucus, thinning it. Repeat this process as often as possible throughout the day.
   • Never leave your dog unattended in a hot water bath as it can burn itself.
5. 5 Give your dog a rest. As much as possible, keep your dog free from any strenuous activity.
   • Do not take your dog for a walk. Not only does this increase the risk of infection in other dogs, but it is also strenuous activity for your pet (especially if the dog is breathing cold air). Cold air can irritate your dog's airways and make coughing worse.
6. 6 Take cough medicine. Coughing is one of the most important reflexes to protect the airways. Trying to clear the cough completely can make your dog worse, as mucus will build up in the chest, causing difficulty breathing. However, if your dog is coughing so that he cannot sleep at night, consider how you can relieve his condition.
   • To stop coughing, give your pet Glycodin. Consult your veterinarian for the exact dosage.
   • Never give medication to your dog without first consulting your veterinarian. Otherwise, misuse of drugs can lead to serious health problems.
   • Ideally, give cough medicine only once a day.
7. 7 Soften your throat. If your pet's throat is sore, you can give him a simple home remedy to help soothe the sore throat. Give your dog one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice mixed together in warm water.
   • You can give this mixture to your dog every hour if necessary.
   • Never give this mixture to a diabetic dog, as honey is very harmful in this case.
8. 8 Strengthen your dog's immune system. To help your dog fight infection, ask your veterinarian for vitamin prescriptions. Wild berries, peppermint, raw honey, eriodiction felt can be used under the supervision of a veterinarian.
   • Although there is no scientific evidence for the effectiveness of these funds, anecdotal evidence suggests they are very beneficial.
9. 9 Prevent the development of the disease by using the vaccine. If your dog is at high risk (for example, he spends time in kennels, attends dog shows, or walks with a large number of dogs in the park), consider getting vaccinated to prevent infection.
   • This vaccine is effective and provides up to one year of protection.
   • A kennel cough is not life threatening, but it can cause unpleasant symptoms. Vaccination is indicated if your dog is old or has other health problems.

Tips

• Nursery cough appears within 2–10 days after infection, usually lasting about 10 days if there are no complications, or 14–20 days if caused by multiple pathogens.
• Adding lemon and honey to your dog's diet can help, too.

Warnings

• If your dog has had a kennel cough, it is unlikely that he will get it again. However, there are many different viruses that cause kennel coughs, so your dog can get the disease again, but the cause will be a different pathogen.
• If you have more than one dog, if one of them gets sick, there is a chance that others will get sick. Watch for symptoms and take action right away.
• Human medications can have serious and even fatal side effects for pets. Consult your veterinarian first before using any medication intended for humans.
• Dogs that have been in a kennel have a high risk of contracting kennel cough.