What are the symptons of kennel cough?

Question

I think my dog might have it, she walks around the house coughing and splattering. How serious is kennel cough, and how can it be treated?

Answer 1

Kennel cough is a persistent, dry, hacking cough that some describe as a "honking" cough.

It's caused by an infectious virus, and then a bacteria called Bordatella Bonchiseptica takes over and makes the signs worse.

Uncomplicated cases can be treated with cough medicines and anti-biotics. This is advisable to keep the cough from becoming a pneumonia (more likely in older dogs).

However, Distemper in younger dogs can look a lot like Kennel cough at first.

Kennel cough is usually mild and may last for about 3 weeks if left untreated. However, any cough could be a sign of an underlying disease. You should have your dog checked out by a Veterinarian. If it's kennel cough, then treating it could be easy.

Answer 2

As the others said, the main symptom is a hacking cough. The cough seems worse when the dog is active (running or barking or otherwise exerting itself.) A good way to check if it's kennel cough is to put the flat of several of your fingers against the base of the dog's neck and press in lightly, if the pressure makes the dog cough, it's probably kennel cough. Kennel cough in itself is easily treated, even with over-the-counter medications. We use baby aspirin, vitamin C and a child's dose of Robitussin to help soothe the cough and boost the dogs' immune system. Your vet may prescribe anitbiotics to fend off other opportunistic viruses, but they may not be necessary if your dog is otherwise healthy. Kennel cough is highly contageous to other dogs, so keep your dog away from others for about 2 weeks. If there are no other complications, the cough usually runs its course within about 10-14 days.

Answer 3

The most common sign seen is a dry, hacking cough. It may sound as if
the animal is choking on something. Depending on the severity and progression of the
disease, the affected dog may also be lethargic or depressed, not eating very well, have
green or yellow nasal or ocular discharge, and even have a fever. Pneumonia can often
times be a serious complication of kennel cough.

Answer 4

The most common symptom is a dry hacking cough sometimes followed by retching. Many owners describe the cough as having a 'honking sound'. A watery nasal discharge may also be present. With mild cases, dogs continue to eat and be alert and active. Many times there is a recent history of boarding or coming in contact with other dogs. In more severe case the symptoms may progress and include lethargy, fever, inappetence, pneumonia and in very severe cases even death. The majority of severe cases occur in immunocompromised animals, or young unvaccinated puppies.

Answer 5

It is a dry cough and nothing comes up to relieve it. Get your dog to the vet right away, there may be time to cure him before it gets alot worse! Also, don't "assume" it is kennel cough. I thought my dog had kennel cough, and it turned out to be the beginning stages of Parvo, which is "deadly.!" Thank God I didn't wait to take my dog to the vet....she made it through...barely! Good luck,& hurry!

Answer 6

My dog had kennel cough when we got him from the Humane Society. They gave us pills to feed him and his cough cleared up on the last day of his pills (neat, huh). I don't know how much the pills would run you, but I can't imagine it being too expensive since many dogs get it.

Answer 7

Kennel Cough should be diagnosed and treated by your vet.