What is it and what can you do about it?

If you are planning on boarding your dog, you might be worried about kennel cough.  But the name of this ailment is somewhat misleading.  Although cases are often found in dogs that have stayed in kennels, they are just as likely to appear in dogs that have not been boarded.

Kennel cough is strikingly similar to the common cold in humans.  It is an airborne illness, and it causes a nagging cough.  But in most cases, the dog is otherwise unaffected.  It is rarely accompanied by a fever, and appetite and overall health usually do not suffer.  The majority of cases will resolve on their own once the illness is given a chance to run its course, usually within 10 to 20 days.

That’s not to say that kennel cough is not cause for concern.  Sometimes it is accompanied by a bacterial infection that must be treated with antibiotics.  And cases that appear to be kennel cough might actually be a more serious illness.  So it’s a good idea to take your dog to the vet, just to be on the safe side.

How Is Kennel Cough Spread?

Kennel cough can be spread anywhere that there is a group of dogs, especially if they are in close quarters that lack an adequate amount of fresh air.  This is why it is so common in kennels, but it may also be spread at the vet’s office, the groomer, or even during pet shows.  There doesn’t have to be a large group present – your dog could get kennel cough from playing with the neighbor’s dog.

The illness has an incubation period of 2 to 14 days, and dogs that have had kennel cough may continue to shed its germs for as long as 3 months after recovery.  That means that even if your dog is not around others with symptoms, he could still be exposed.

Should I Vaccinate?

There is a vaccination for kennel cough, but there is some debate about its effectiveness.  Like the flu in humans, there are different strains of kennel cough.  If your dog is vaccinated for one strain but exposed to another, he could still get it.

Many dogs that haven’t been vaccinated but are exposed to kennel cough do not develop it.  This is likely because they have been previously exposed to kennel cough germs and have built up a resistance to them.  Resistance is fairly common in dogs with healthy immune systems.

The kennel cough vaccine is not usually included in the standard vaccination schedule.  If you choose to vaccinate your dog, it can be given once a year.  But most who choose to vaccinate do so only when they are planning to board or show their dogs.  This should be done at least 5 days prior to exposure to other dogs, as it takes the vaccine that long to reach peak effectiveness.

Keeping your dog’s immune system in good shape can help prevent kennel cough without the need to vaccinate.  Feeding a healthy diet and making sure your dog gets plenty of exercise go a long way toward preventing infection of any kind.  Supplementing with Vitamin C will also help the immune system perform like it should.

Most cases of kennel cough are little more than annoyances for you and your dog.  But a trip to the vet is recommended if symptoms are present, just to be on the safe side.  Some of the illnesses that start out looking like kennel cough can be serious and may require treatment as soon as possible.