Pets Care

Kennel cough in dogs is a fairly common condition. It occurs when a dog comes in contact with or is near an infected dog. The most likely time when this can occur is when the dog has been kenneled for a period of time.

However, being kenneled is not the only manner in which dogs can contract kennel cough. Dogs may get infected even when they have not been recently boarded. This is because an infected dog can potentially pass on the infection to another by sneezing and coughing.

The most common viral agent that causes kennel cough is parainfluenza. The incubation period of the virus is three to four days. It is only after the incubation period that the dog shows any signs or symptoms of the infection. The duration of kennel cough in dogs is approximately six to ten days unless there is another bacterial agent that results in extending the normal period of the condition.

Although bacterial cultures and isolation of the virus is possible to identify the agent causing kennel cough, blood tests are usually not performed since the characteristic nature of the symptoms are fairly easy to diagnose. A brief reference to symptoms, history, and recent exposure to other dogs is enough to obtain a conclusive diagnosis.

The most common symptom of kennel cough is a dry hacking cough that produces a ‘honking sound’. The cough can be identified if you know that it sounds as if there is something stuck in the throat and the dog is trying to dislodge it by coughing. Even among those who are aware of the specific nature of the coughing sound, the first reaction of the dog owner tends to be to check whether there is actually something stuck in the throat or not.

The coughing or gagging can be quite severe. It may continue for some minutes or be repeated at short intervals. It is often accompanied by a watery discharge. If the sound of the cough is not enough to confirm your hypothesis, a simple way of checking whether the coughing is related to kennel cough or not is to press the throat gently, just in the collar area. If it is kennel cough it will induce coughing.

There is no express need to panic if your dog has kennel cough since the symptoms vanish on their own in mild cases. However, if the cough is severe and your dog expels mucus while coughing, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary. The symptoms of kennel cough can progress and may cause fever, lethargy, lack of appetite or pneumonia. In extreme cases, kennel cough can also lead to death.

References:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=452
http://www.auntjeni.com/kennel.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennel_cough
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_kennel_cough.html
http://dogtime.com/articles/155?breaks=2502_5003_5779&page=3&slug=true&title=kennel-cough-in-dogs-vin http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kenc.html

http://www.dog-health-guide.org/caninekennelcoughtreatment.html

The symptoms of mild kennel cough are likely to disappear on their own within a fortnight. Although the duration of kennel cough in dogs is limited it can be extremely painful for the dog and frustrating for dog owners. The dry honking cough may not let you or your dog sleep peacefully for 10 to 12 days at a stretch.

Even though cough suppressants provide temporary symptomatic relief, they restrict the phlegm from coming out and therefore prolong the duration of a self limiting disease. The longer the condition continues the greater the risk of the disease progressing into pneumonia.

Your dog’s body is capable of combating most infections on its own. The immune responses of the body quickly come into play and safeguard against infections. However, this protection is available only when these safeguards are not damaged and the immune system is in perfect condition.

Prevention is the best cure for kennel cough in dogs. While vaccinating a dog will save your dog from the agony caused by the infection, certain home remedies can provide relief from symptoms while ensuring the long term benefit of boosting the immune system as well.

* Add Vitamin C to your dog’s diet. If you are already giving Vitamin C, top up the daily dose periodically.
* Herbal remedies like tinctures of Echinacea and Golden Seal can help in boosting your dog’s immunity or capacity to resist infection.
* Humid environment will alleviate the symptoms to a great extent. You may use a home vaporizer or humidifier to provide relief from the symptoms.
* Reduce the level of exercise for as long as the symptoms remain.
* Use only a mild pediatric cough suppressant if the cough gets too severe. Otherwise, give some honey to soothe the irritating throat.
* Reduce exposure to smoke, especially cigarette smoke and dust. Try to keep the dog indoors.
* Bryonia and drosera are very effective homeopathic remedies for treating kennel cough as well as increase immunity.

Kennel cough in canines is a bacterial and/or viral infection similar to chest and sinus infection in humans. Unless it manifests itself as a severe case, treatment is usually not recommended. In instances of severe bacterial infection, the preferred treatment is antibiotic therapy.

As is well known, repeated antibiotic treatment ultimately renders the drug ineffective as bacteria become resistant to it. Home remedies, on the other hand, are based on herbs and natural substances that support the dog’s inbuilt ability to combat infection.

Reference:

http://www.natural-pet-care.com/natural-pet-health-blog/dogs-puppies/home-remedies-for-kennel-cough/

http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/newsletters/herbal_newsletter_2007_09_23.html

Kennel cough in canines is as common as head cold in humans. It is caused by a number of agents – viruses as well as bacteria. The most common agents that cause kennel cough are parainfuenza (viral) and bordetella bronchiseptica (bacterial).

Kennel cough is a respiratory infection of the bronchi and throat that causes a prolonged dry hoarse cough. The infection as such is neither serious nor painful to warrant panic but long spells of honking cough can be extremely frustrating for the owner and uncomfortable for the dog. Medically, kennel cough in dogs can potentially lead to weakening of the immune system and secondary infections like pneumonia.

Common symptoms of kennel cough include fever, listlessness, spasmodic and prolonged cough, lack of appetite and nasal or eye discharge. The severity of the infection determines the level of symptoms that are manifested. In most cases, your dog may behave normally with a dry cough as the only apparent symptom.

The best treatment for kennel cough is to let the condition run its course as there is no cure for this condition. The most that dog owners can do is to attempt to ease the discomfort of the dog. Keeping the dog in a humid environment, keeping a vaporizer near his resting place and reducing exercise can limit coughing spasms. In cold climates, the dog should be kept warm. Mild cough medication can also be used after consultation with a veterinarian.

The duration of kennel cough in dogs is short as the disease is self limiting and symptoms usually disappear on their own. However, vaccination is often advised as a preventive measure. As there are numerous agents other than parainfluenza that can cause kennel cough, vaccinations may not provide complete prevention all the time.

Kennel cough is highly contagious and it is advisable to get the vaccination updated every time you have to board your dog or take him to potentially risky environments like a veterinarian or a dog show.

Another preventive measure that you can take is to use natural and herbal remedies to strengthen the immune system of your dog. All dogs that board with other infected dogs do not contract the disease. This suggests that animals with a strong immune system are at a reduced risk of infection.

Dry cough in puppies is often noticed some days after they have been brought home from pet stores. This is mostly due to the incubation period of the infectious agents. Kennel cough in young dogs is more serious and should be attended to in time.

In case you have vaccination on your mind, ensure that you wait for five to six days after you bring him home. If there are signs of dry cough then wait till the time the symptoms disappear because vaccinating the puppy during infection may not be effective at all.

Reference:

http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Kennel_Cough

Kennel cough, an extremely contagious infection among dogs is very similar to common cold and cannot be treated. The only real treatment for the disease is to see it through for the 15 to 20 days that it may last.

The only thing that you can do if the disease has already hit, is to take good care of your dog, keep him in a humid, warm environment and reduce the level of exercise that he may be used to.

Knowing the symptoms and treatments of kennel cough can go a long way in identifying the problem well in time so that proper care can be taken. The ideal way to tackle kennel however, is to prevent it from ever happening. There are various vaccines that can be given to dogs as young as a few weeks to avoid the problem completely.

As the name suggests, kennel cough is likely to strike when many dogs are in close proximity like say in a kennel, dog shows or a place where many dogs are boarded. Even though most reputed kennels ensure that the inmate does not have this disease among others, there are cases where other dogs can be carriers of the disease without showing any sign of the condition themselves.

And therefore most people will suggest that if your dog is primarily a house dog and is not exposed to other dogs in such conditions; it may be quite okay to not get a vaccine for kennel cough.

This however, is not true given the fact that the virus or bacteria that spreads the disease is air borne and can be transferred even if the infected dog is a few feet away. Sneezing or coughing by the dog can cause this transfer. And so, even house dogs do run the risk of contracting the disease.

There are mainly two types of vaccines for kennel cough. One type can be injected and the other is intranasal. The injection takes a few days to take effect and therefore if you are likely to be in close proximity of other dogs in an emergency situation, then it is better to choose the intranasal spray. A puppy can be vaccinated as soon as he is 4 weeks of age and a booster dose needs to be given bi-annually or annually.

Even with all these precautions, you can still not be sure that your dog will not get kennel cough since the vaccine is only about 60% effective. And therefore at times an effective canine respiratory infection cure needs to be sought.

The whole idea of the topic of this article seems to be dubious since the fact is that kennel cough does not have any remedies at all. It is like the common cold that humans get or the chest congestion that will take its own course and heal on its own.

The symptoms of kennel cough take about 5 to 6 days to appear after the bacterium or virus actually strikes your pet. Knowing the symptoms and treatment for kennel cough can go a long way in helping your dog feel more comfortable.

The best way to ensure that your dog does not have a painful ad bad time with kennel cough is to prevent it. Vaccinate your dog against the bacterium and viruses that can cause kennel cough. Speak to your vet about the details and the schedule for the booster doses.

Know that these vaccines are not only necessary for dogs that stay in kennels or go for dog shows. Kennel cough is so infectious that it can occur even if your pet stays at home generally but visits parks and goes for walks.

If you have to take your pet to a kennel or leave him at a place that boards other dogs, make sure that you choose a reputed place that does not allow infected dogs to stay. Also ensure that you give your dog a booster dose about a week before taking him to any place where other dogs are likely to be present.

If your dog does get infected with kennel cough make sure that you provide the maximum level of comfort for him. Keep him warm and comfortable and ensure that he is in a humid environment. This can be achieved by keeping a vaporizer near the crate, kennel or bed. Reduce the amount of exercise for your dog and keep his eyes and nose clean of any discharge that may occur.

Try to keep away from cough suppressants since they only keep the phlegm from coming out causing the condition to take longer to heal. This reduces the immunity levels of your dog and can cause other infectious diseases that may be much more serious than kennel cough.

Basically, no kind of canine respiratory infection cure is required for kennel cough and all you need to do is to ensure that you use certain guidelines to alleviate the symptoms of the condition so that your pet is not in too much pain or discomfort.

Kennel cough is an extremely contagious illness that can affect your canine pet. It technically called tracheobronchitis and affects the upper respiratory tract causing an inflammation. The disease is mainly caused by a viral infection like distemper, parainfluenza, or adenovirus but can also be caused by bacteria like Bordetella bronchiseptica.

The illness derives its name from the fact that the main symptom of the condition is a dry cough that sounds like a honk that gives the impression as if something is stuck in the throat. The word kennel has been given to the problem since it is highly infectious and can be spread easily in kennels and places that board dogs.

The virus or bacteria spreads through air and physical contact is not necessary and since the virus is air-borne, the virus can spread when an infected dog in the vicinity sneezes or coughs. And therefore, it is essential that the infected dog is isolated from all others.

The reason why the disease becomes extremely rampant in any area that has even a single dog with the condition makes it almost impossible to contain. The symptoms of kennel cough appear about a few days after exposure and once contracted the disease will last for anywhere from 10 days to three weeks.

With the first signs of kennel cough should take your dog to a veterinarian to ascertain whether the cough that you are hearing is kennel cough or not. Understanding the symptoms and treatment for kennel cough therefore, becomes important.

The vet will probably massage the trachea to induce some kind of cough so that he may be able to hear the sound and decide the best course of future action. The diagnosis is fairly simple and so is the treatment.

Kennel cough sorts itself out with a few weeks without having to do anything. It is not the kennel cough itself that is the cause of grave concern but the fact that it weakens the immune system and increases the probability of the bronchial infection.

No dog dies of a coughing bout but it is important that the disease does not deteriorate to give your pet pneumonia or any other disease.

The best canine respiratory infection cure is to let kennel cough it run through its course without any cough suppressants. This is recommended because the removal of phlegm from the system is the fastest and best route to recovery. A cough suppressant shall only reduce cough causing the phlegm to remain in the system that will only lead to the kennel cough lasting longer.

If the condition deteriorates and develops into pneumonia or any other infectious illness, then antibiotics may become essential for treatment.

Kennel cough is an illness that infects mostly canines and sometimes cats also. The condition is very similar to that of the common cold in human beings and the best treatment for this condition is to let it run its course.

The problem, however, is that the symptoms of kennel cough are extremely painful and can test the patience of many dog owners. The dry, honking cough can keep you and your dog awake through nights for more than 15 to 20 days at times.

Many people suggest cough suppressants as a remedy to check the cough, but cough suppressants actually keep the phlegm from coming out increasing the number of days of misery for your pet. And the longer the kennel cough stays, the chances of it developing into pneumonia or any other infectious illness increase.

Prevention is the best form of cure, they say and nothing could be truer for kennel cough. Giving your pet a vaccine and a booster dose when required is the best way to save him from the agony that he will go through if he contracts the disease.

Since kennel cough is best avoided, here are some suggestions to increase the immune system of your dog.
Add some vitamin C to your dog’s diet. Giving supplements is a good idea since you can be sure of the amount of Vitamin C that is being administered daily.
Herbal medicines or tincture to increase immunity are also available in the market.

In the unfortunate event of your dog contracting kennel cough make sure that you take special care of your dog and try and alleviate his symptoms by providing good care. A humid environment can help in providing relief for a dry cough.

You could use a home humidifier or vaporizer and keep it close to the dogs kennel, crate or resting place. Reduce the levels of exercise while your dog is suffering from kennel cough.

Though cough suppressants are not recommended, a mild pediatric cough medicine can be use if the cough gets too painful and violent for the dog. This canine respiratory infection cure may lead to some suppression of the cough and delay overall healing and so should be administered only in extreme cases and in consultation with a doctor. At all times keep your pet warm, comfortable and dry because this is critical in containing the problem.

You could also give your dog some honey to ease an irritating throat, reduce exposure to smoke and keep him indoors.

The only manner in which you can give this care to your dog as soon as he gets the disease is to be aware of the symptoms and treatment for kennel cough well in advance so that you can identify the onset and react immediately.

An early detection is essential for the timely treatment of any illness and this becomes extremely critical when we are discussing or talking in the context of man’s best friend – the dog. Given the fact that your dog cannot communicate to you in your language, it is critical that you be able to identify any unusual symptoms that may appear.

Knowing the preliminary symptoms of any illness or disease is therefore, required. Kennel cough is one illness that any dog can contract if he has been in close proximity with another infected dog. Though rampant in kennels and places that board dogs, the disease can attack any dog.

Typically symptoms of kennel cough include a harsh, cough that sometimes leads to retching or gagging. The coughing bouts are exaggerated while any kind of exercising and lead to a loathing for play. Some dogs show listlessness and low levels of energy and are not excited by the things they earlier used to enjoy.

This could include going for walks or playing catch. In some cases, dogs also get a fever but this is not always necessary. Lack of appetite is another symptom that can appear at the onset of kennel cough.

Other than the phlegm that is coughed up, some dogs also get a yellowish or greenish discharge from the nose or the eyes. This is normally a sign that the kennel cough is progressing into pneumonia and will need immediate attention

Some dogs are actually ‘carriers’ of the disease and carry the virus or the bacteria that causes the condition without ever showing symptoms of the problem themselves. They can be hosts to the bacteria in their respiratory tracts for years and have no outward sign till one day when it may just burst and start manifesting itself. This typically happens if and when their immune systems weaken at a later date.

Even if you are aware of the symptoms and treatment for kennel cough the fact of the matter is that after your dog contracts the virus, it may take up to a week to actually manifest itself. During this course, the other pets that you may have like another dog or a cat are at a risk of getting infected. Though this cannot be helped, you should take corrective and preventive measures as soon as you know.

Various options for canine respiratory infection cure are possible. You can choose to use herbal or home remedies and these seem to be the best since kennel must run its course, much like the common cold among humans. The home remedies help in alleviating the discomfort and pain associated with the ‘non productive’ coughing that almost seems violent.

Make sure that you take special care of your dog when he has kennel cough and do all that you can to avoid the condition from deteriorating and developing into pneumonia.

What is Kennel Cough and what are the symptoms?

Kennel cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that often affects animals that are kept in a confined space such as boarding kennels, dog shows or veterinary hospitals.

Symptoms include a persistent dry hacking cough or bouts of deep harsh coughing often followed by gagging, which may produce a foamy mucus.

What is the conventional treatment?

Mild cases may improve without treatment. Conventional treatment of kennel cough often involves antibiotics which tend to relieve the animal’s symptoms fairly quickly, but also have a general weakening effect on their immune system, which can cause further problems, especially in the long-term.

Vaccinations to prevent kennel cough are also often recommended. But research indicates that frequent vaccination or over-vaccination may unnecessarily stress a pet’s immune system.

How can natural remedies help?

As part of a holistic approach to treating your pet, natural remedies can help to build and strengthen your pet’s immune system, encourage the elimination of toxins and generally improve the overall health of your animal.

Natural remedies can also help to relieve specific symptoms such as upper respiratory infections and coughs without the accompanying toxin build-up caused by conventional treatments.

What is KC-Defense?

KC-Defense combines herbal and homeopathic ingredients with selected biochemic tissue salts for the treatment and prevention of Kennel cough and other respiratory tract infections in pets.

It may be used preventatively (especially before visits to the vet, kennels, cattery etc) or acutely to treat an active infection.

Use PetAlive KC-Defense:

* In the treatment of acute Kennel Cough and other respiratory infections in pets
* As an oral natural vaccine to immunize your pet against Kennel Cough and other viral respiratory infections
* As a preventative just before a visit to the vet, to kennels or a cattery to protect against infection

What are the ingredients of KC-Defense?

PetAlive KC-Defense contains the following 100% herbal and homeopathic ingredients:

Plantago lanceolata is a herbal remedy well known for treating dry coughs. It is also an effective expectorant and anti-catarrhal and helps to expel mucus build up in the lungs. This medicinal herb is also approved by the German Commission E for internal use to ease coughs and mucous membrane irritation associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Clinical studies have supported its effectiveness in the treatment of bronchitis.

Bryonia C6 is a proven homeopathic remedy which is very effective for the treatment of coughs and dry mucus membranes, as well as the clearing of mucus from the chest.

Echinacea purpurea is one of the top selling herbs for the treatment of colds, flu and other viral infections. Clinical trials have proved its effectiveness in a variety of settings. Studies have shown that Echinacea works by preventing the formation of hyaluronidase – an enzyme that is known to break the cell barriers between healthy tissue and pathogenic organisms like viruses. This immune boosting herb has also been successfully used to restore immune functioning in patients who have undergone chemotherapy and during recovery and convalescence from major illness.

Ferrum Phosphate C6 (Ferrum Phos.) is one of the most important biochemic tissue salts to use when there is any infection or inflammation in the body. It helps to distribute iron and oxygen throughout the body, strengthen cell walls and fight infection

Kalium Sulphate C6 (Kali. Sulph.) This biochemic tissue salt is essential for distributing life giving oxygen throughout the body and keeping cell membranes in peak health. It is often called the ‘natural antibiotic’ of the tissue salts and together with Ferrum Phos. can treat both the initial, secondary and third stages of infection. Kali. Sulph. is used for a variety of chest infections, including chronic cough, asthma, bronchitis and even pneumonia.

Magnesium Phosphate C6 (Mag. Phos.) is a natural painkiller and antispasmodic and is very helpful for bronchial spasms and other forms of spasmodic cough.

Lactose (inactive ingredient)

(PetAlive KC-Defense contains no gluten, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives)

How has KC-Defense helped others?

“KC-Defense helped our puppy recover from kennel cough which went on and one with such terrible coughing! Thank you for a great product!” – Trudi

“I can recommend the KC-Defense as an effective remedy to help with kennel cough. It has worked for our dog very quickly and I thank you!” – WLG

“After successfully treating my Afghan with KC-Defense, I will not send her to the kennels without it! At least I can be confident that she is protected as her system is very sensitive and she easily picks up infections from other dogs. This product is great! Once again I have been very impressed by your service and your products!” – Brent.

How do we use KC-Defense?

KC-Defense comes in convenient dissolvable granule form. The tiny granules are easy to administer to pets of all sizes and personalities and are simply sprinkled on the back of the tongue and left to dissolve. No fuss and bother!

Cats and very small dogs: Large pinch of granules sprinkled into the mouth.
Small to medium dogs: Half fill inner circle of lid and sprinkle into mouth.
Medium to large dogs: Fill inner circle of lid and sprinkle into mouth

Preventative: KC-Defense may be given for up to a week at 3 – 6 month intervals for the prevention of Kennel Cough and other respiratory disorders. This is highly recommended before a stay in kennels or a cattery or for 5 – 7 days before a visit to the vet. Respiratory infections are contagious and your pet will be vulnerable whenever there is contact with other animals.

Acute: Administer every hour for up to 10 doses or until symptoms subside. Thereafter administer three times daily for 14 -21 days.

How long until we see results?

When KC-Defense is taken prophylactically (preventatively) your pet will be protected from respiratory infections. If an infection should occur, this will be much milder and will resolve far easier.

For animals who have contracted Kennel Cough or any other viral respiratory illness, KC-Defense should help to clear symptoms quickly and improvement is usually noted within one or two days.

Treatment should be continued for 14 – 21 days after this to prevent relapse.

How long does one bottle last?

One bottle of KC-Defense will last for 15 – 30 days, depending on the size and needs of your pet.

What else can I do to help my pet?

* Ensure your pet is eating a balanced, high quality diet with plenty of raw and unprocessed food (preferably organic).
* Use Immunity and Liver Support capsules to boost your pet’s immune functioning and resistance against disease and infection
* Avoid exposure to toxins and chemicals as much as possible including pesticides, herbicides, commercial flea collars, flea powder, insecticides and second-hand cigarette smoke.
* If going to boarding kennels causes your pet undue stress, consider investigating other options. Stress can weaken your pet’s immune system and make him more susceptible to infection.
* Talk to a holistic vet before immunizing your pet. Over-vaccination may stress the immune system unnecessarily.
* Regular exercise will help to keep your pet’s immune system in tiptop form.
* Small doses of ready-made herbal cough mixtures may ease your pet’s cough.

The condition commonly known as “Kennel Cough” is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases that dogs can contract. The disease is not serious in most cases, however, and often resolves itself after one to two weeks. The accepted medical term for kennel cough is tracheobronchitis, indicating a form of bronchitis that affects the dog’s trachea.

Kennel cough can be caused by several airborne bacteria and viruses. It is generally accepted that most cases of kennel cough are caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica but it has also been associated with the canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parainfluenza.

It is the general consensus of the veterinary medical community that in order to cause the illness, an animal must be virtually bombarded by multiple versions of these pathogens at one time.

For this reason it is dogs that spend a lot of time around other dogs that are most at risk for the disease. Dogs that participate in dog shows or spend a lot of time in kennels are the highest risks for kennel cough.

The primary symptom of kennel cough is a dry, spasmodic cough which is caused by the inflammation of the dog’s trachea and bronchi. Coughing spells will often result in the dog coughing up a white and foamy discharge.

Some dogs will also develop conjunctivitis – an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids. Nasal discharge may also be present. In effect, the dog appears to have a very nasty cold or flu. As stated above, the disease is rarely serious and almost never life-threatening.

Still, if you have seen any of these symptoms or have reason to believe that your dog has or has been exposed to kennel cough, you should consult your vet immediately.

Your vet will be able to diagnose kennel cough with a physical examination and medical history. The cough associated with the ailment is very characteristic and a simple massage of the dog’s throat can usually cause it to cough on cue.

In some cases, such as if the dog is depressed or feverish or expelling a yellow or green discharge, the doctor may require additional diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) and laboratory testing of microorganisms in the dog’s airway. These tests will help the doctor rule out other infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, or canine distemper.

Immunization can help prevent kennel cough and is recommended. When kenneling your dog or traveling it may be required before your dog will be admitted. Effective immunization can be difficult, however, because the disease can be caused by so many different pathogens.

Active prevention on your part can be accomplished by not allowing your dog’s toys or water and food bowls to be accessed by unfamiliar dogs. If participating in dog shows make sure that the area is well ventilated to assist with the expulsion of airborne pathogens.

Kennel cough is treated with antibiotics in most cases. Antibiotics will help prevent any secondary illnesses from developing while the dog gets over its case of kennel cough.
About the Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.