Understanding Kennel Cough: What Dog Parents Should Know This Summer
As summer travel ramps up and more pet parents make plans for boarding or daycare, it’s important to stay alert to a common but preventable illness: kennel cough.
What Is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough – also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis – is a contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that often spreads in environments where dogs congregate. These include grooming salons, doggie daycare, kennels and overnight pet boarding facilities, and busy dog parks. It’s primarily caused by the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica, and it spreads through respiratory secretions – coughing, sneezing, or even brief nose-to-nose contact. Often compared to a “common cold” in dogs, it’s easily contracted but typically manageable with prompt care.
Symptoms To Watch For
If your pup begins showing signs of illness, it’s best to consult a veterinarian. Look out for:
- Persistent coughing, sneezing, and/or gagging
- Eye or nasal discharge, often yellow or green
- Vomiting (usually from excessive coughing)
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy (appears sleepy or less active)
If your dog becomes extremely lethargic, has trouble breathing, or stops eating or drinking, these symptoms could signal an emergency that needs immediate veterinary attention.
How Is Kennel Cough Diagnosed?
Veterinarians often begin with a thorough physical exam and auscultation – listening to the lungs and airways with a stethoscope. A fever may also be present, and your dog’s recent exposure to other dogs may support a diagnosis. Depending on what the vet observes, additional diagnostic tools may be recommended:
- Chest X-rays to rule out pneumonia
- Bloodwork to evaluate immune response and rule out other causes
- PCR testing using nasal or throat swabs to detect pathogens in complex or non-responsive cases
Since PCR results can take several days, they’re not typically the first diagnostic step. Starting treatment promptly is crucial.
Treatment Options
For dogs with mild symptoms, treatment may include rest, isolation, and cough suppressants, along with anti-inflammatories to soothe the throat. If bacterial involvement is suspected, vets often prescribe antibiotics such as:
- Doxycycline
- Azithromycin
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox)
For pets who struggle with oral meds, an injectable antibiotic like Convenia may be used instead. Mild cases usually clear up within 10–14 days, but meds are continued for several days beyond symptom resolution. If symptoms persist, follow-up diagnostics and a medical recheck are necessary.
For vulnerable dogs – including puppies, seniors, or immunocompromised pets – or those who develop pneumonia, hospitalization might be required. Treatments in these cases can include nebulization with bronchodilators, subcutaneous or IV fluids, nutritional support, oxygen therapy, or more aggressive IV antibiotics.
Can It Be Prevented?
To some extent, yes. The Bordetella vaccine guards against the most common strains of kennel cough. While it doesn’t cover every potential cause, it dramatically lowers the risk and severity of infection. Vaccinated dogs may still get sick, but typically with milder symptoms. Some clinics recommend boosters every 6 months, especially for dogs frequently exposed to other dogs. Puppies sold in pet stores are more vulnerable and may suffer more severe symptoms due to stress, transport, and close quarters.
Is It Dangerous?
For most healthy dogs, kennel cough is not life-threatening and responds well to early treatment. However, it may lead to complications in puppies, senior dogs, or those with pre-existing health issues. Though fatalities are rare, secondary conditions like pneumonia or low blood sugar can develop. Chronic bronchitis can also occur after infection, leading to a lingering cough even after the bacteria have cleared—this requires further veterinary care.
Other Conditions That Cause Similar Symptoms
Several illnesses and irritants can mimic kennel cough symptoms. These include:
- Distemper, pneumonia, or valley fever
- Parainfluenza, adenovirus, or canine influenza
- Foreign body obstruction
- Allergies, heartworm disease, or heart failure
- Collapsing trachea or aspiration from megaesophagus
- Environmental irritants like cigarette smoke, smog, or pollutants
It’s vital to vaccinate annually for DAPPV (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus) and to work with your vet to rule out other causes when a cough persists. If antibiotics aren’t helping, further diagnostics are necessary.
Can Humans Catch Kennel Cough?
No. Kennel cough is not zoonotic, which means it cannot be spread to humans. It’s highly contagious among dogs, though, so keep infected pets isolated until they’ve recovered fully. Monitor any other dogs in the home closely and consult your vet if they develop symptoms. It’s also not contagious to cats or exotic pets.
Final Thoughts
Before you board your dog or send them to daycare this summer, check with your veterinarian to ensure their Bordetella vaccine is up to date. A little prevention can go a long way in keeping your dog safe, healthy, and happy while you’re away.
If you ever have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinary team – we’re here to help!
Dr. Shayla Fleming, DVM
Dr. Shayla Fleming is from Phoenix, Arizona and has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a kid. She grew up with dogs, birds, reptiles, and fish! She graduated from Aurora University in Illinois with dual bachelor degrees in Biology and health science. She moved back to Arizona to attend Midwestern University for Veterinary School and enjoys being in the sun again. She has a dog named Jack, a bird named Flynn, and a tortoise named Ralph. In her free time she enjoys hiking, going to the lake, and reading.