| One of the most common respiratory infections | | | | weeks. Vets should be able to easily identify |
| in dogs is Infectious tracheobronchitis, which is | | | | kennel cough as the cause of the coughing just |
| also known as kennel cough. According to vet | | | | by clinical signs and history. |
| professionals, this is a highly contagious infection | | | | Antibiotics may be recommended to prevent |
| caused by a combination of infectious agents. | | | | secondary bacterial infections. Cough suppressants |
| Many times, there is a viral infection with the | | | | may help to stop the coughing as well. These |
| canine parainfluenza virus followed by a secondary | | | | treatments are usually not required though. Rarely |
| bacterial infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica. | | | | does infectious tracheobronchitis develop into a |
| This disease is called kennel cough because it is | | | | serious bronchopneumonia which requires more |
| most often transmitted between dogs living | | | | aggressive treatment, according to vet |
| together in close quarters as in a kennel. | | | | professionals. |
| Pet owners may notice symptoms of this disease | | | | Some pet owners may want to alleviate kennel |
| after their dog has been in close quarters with | | | | cough before it happens. In these cases, there |
| other dogs. Kennel situations could be a boarding | | | | are several kennel cough vaccines available to pet |
| facility; a pet hotel when owners are away on | | | | owners for their dogs. It is recommended by |
| vacation and chose to leave their dogs; could be | | | | vets to vaccinate dogs before they go to a |
| with a groomer; or at a dog show. | | | | kennel, dog show or pet hotel, etc. Pet owners |
| A common clinical sign is a deep, hacking cough | | | | should be aware that a lot of veterinary hospitals, |
| that sounds like the dog has something caught in | | | | boarding facilities, grooming clinics, etc., require the |
| its throat. Some dogs may cough up a white, | | | | vaccine prior to admittance. Pet owners should |
| foamy discharge at the end of coughing fits. The | | | | check with their vets on vaccination |
| cough can sound very serious; however, the | | | | recommendations to keep their pets happy and |
| infection usually clears up within one to two | | | | healthy. |