All Topics  
Kennel cough

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Kennel cough
 
 
  Topics Kennel cough Topic Home

Kennel cough or tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious canine
Dog

The dog is a domesticated subspecies of the Gray Wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties....
 illness characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory system
Respiratory system

A respiratory system?s function is to allow gas exchange. The space between the alveoli and the capillaries, the anatomy or structure of the exchange system, and the precise physiological uses of the exchanged gases vary depending on the organism....
. It can be caused by viral infections such as canine distemper
Canine distemper

Canine distemper is a very serious virus disease affecting animals in the families Canidae, Mustelidae, Mephitidae, Hyaenidae, Ailuridae, Procyonidae, Pinnipedia, some Viverridae and Felidae ....
, canine adenovirus, canine parainfluenza virus, or canine respiratory coronavirus
Canine coronavirus

Canine coronavirus is a virus of the family Coronaviridae that causes a highly contagious intestinal disease worldwide in dogs. It was discovered in 1971 in Germany during an outbreak in guard dogs....
, or bacterial infections such as Bordetella bronchiseptica
Bordetella

'Bordetella' is a genus of small , Gram-negative coccobacilli of the phylum proteobacteria. Bordetella species, with the exception of B....
. It is so named because the infection can spread quickly among dogs, such as in the close quarters of a kennel
Kennel

A kennel is the name given to any structure or shelter for dogs. A kennel is a doghouse, run, or other small structure in which a dog is kept....
.

viral
Virus

A virus is a Optical microscope#Limitations of light microscopes infectious agent that is unable to grow or reproduce outside a host cell . Viruses infect all cellular life....
 and bacteria
Bacteria

The Bacteria are a large group of unicellular microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals....
l causes of kennel cough are spread through the air by infected dogs sneezing and coughing.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Kennel cough'
Start a new discussion about 'Kennel cough'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Kennel cough or tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious canine
Dog

The dog is a domesticated subspecies of the Gray Wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties....
 illness characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory system
Respiratory system

A respiratory system?s function is to allow gas exchange. The space between the alveoli and the capillaries, the anatomy or structure of the exchange system, and the precise physiological uses of the exchanged gases vary depending on the organism....
. It can be caused by viral infections such as canine distemper
Canine distemper

Canine distemper is a very serious virus disease affecting animals in the families Canidae, Mustelidae, Mephitidae, Hyaenidae, Ailuridae, Procyonidae, Pinnipedia, some Viverridae and Felidae ....
, canine adenovirus, canine parainfluenza virus, or canine respiratory coronavirus
Canine coronavirus

Canine coronavirus is a virus of the family Coronaviridae that causes a highly contagious intestinal disease worldwide in dogs. It was discovered in 1971 in Germany during an outbreak in guard dogs....
, or bacterial infections such as Bordetella bronchiseptica
Bordetella

'Bordetella' is a genus of small , Gram-negative coccobacilli of the phylum proteobacteria. Bordetella species, with the exception of B....
. It is so named because the infection can spread quickly among dogs, such as in the close quarters of a kennel
Kennel

A kennel is the name given to any structure or shelter for dogs. A kennel is a doghouse, run, or other small structure in which a dog is kept....
.

Infection

Both viral
Virus

A virus is a Optical microscope#Limitations of light microscopes infectious agent that is unable to grow or reproduce outside a host cell . Viruses infect all cellular life....
 and bacteria
Bacteria

The Bacteria are a large group of unicellular microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals....
l causes of kennel cough are spread through the air by infected dogs sneezing and coughing. It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces and through direct contact. It is highly contagious, even days or weeks after symptoms disappear. Symptoms begin usually 3 to 5 days after exposure. The disease can progress to pneumonia
Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an Inflammation illness of the lung. Frequently, it is described as lung parenchyma/alveolus inflammation and abnormal alveolar filling with fluid ....
.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include a harsh, dry hacking/coughing, retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging or vomiting in response to light pressing of the trachea
Vertebrate trachea

The traceartes, or windpipe, is a tube that has an inner diameter of about 20-25 mm and a length of about 10-16 cm in humans. It commences at the larynx and bifurcates into the primary bronchus in mammals, and from the pharynx to the syrinx in birds, allowing the passage of air to the lungs....
 or after excitement or exercise. The presence of a fever
Fever

Fever is a frequent medical sign that describes an increase in internal body temperature to levels above normal. Fever is most accurately characterized as a temporary elevation in the body's thermoregulatory set-point, usually by about 1?2 ?C ....
 varies from case to case. The disease can last initially from 10-20 days and can rebreak when the dog is put into a stressful situation which puts stress on the dog's immune system. Diagnosis is made by seeing these symptoms, having a history of exposure is also helpful but not always found as kennel cough is easily spread through contact with contaminated surfaces such as the ground, toys, sidewalks, dog parks.

Treatment and prevention

Antibiotic
Antibiotic

In common usage, an antibiotic is a substance or compound that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics belong to the group of antimicrobial compounds used to treat infections caused by microorganisms, including fungus and protozoa....
s are given to treat any bacteria
Bacteria

The Bacteria are a large group of unicellular microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals....
l infection present. Cough suppressants
Cough medicine

A cough medicine is a medicinal medication used to treat coughing and related conditions. Dry coughs are treated with cough suppressants that suppress the body's urge to cough, while productive coughs are treated with expectorants that loosen mucus from the respiratory tract....
 are used if the cough is not productive (nothing is being coughed up). The prognosis is good. Prevention is by vaccinating
Vaccination

Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material to produce immunity to a disease. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by a pathogen....
 for canine adenovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, and Bordetella
Bordetella

'Bordetella' is a genus of small , Gram-negative coccobacilli of the phylum proteobacteria. Bordetella species, with the exception of B....
. In kennels, the best prevention is to keep all the cages disinfected. Most kennels will not board dogs without proof of vaccination.

See also

  • Bronchitis
    Bronchitis

    Bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchus in the lungs. It can progress to pneumonia. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks....


External links