Kennel Cough
The Facts About Kennel Cough
By Ty Magnum
One day you’re walking your beloved pet Milton through the park and you notice he’s coughing. Okay, probably chewed on something he shouldn’t have. Later that night, after dinner, you notice Milton coughing again, almost like he’s choking on something. So, you pull your baby into your lap, open that big wet mouth, and check to make sure something isn’t stuck down there. Okay, nothing there. But the next morning, tired and blood shot eyed, you pick up the phone because Milton has coughed all night. Now, you’re in a panic because something is wrong with your baby.
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Thanks to your vet whom you love dearly, you can now relax. Milton has Kennel Cough. All you can do now is wait it out.
Kennel Cough is a dry, hacking cough where the lining of your dogs trachea and upper bronchi have become irritated, and it does almost sound is if your dog is trying to clear his throat. Kennel Cough is much like the common cold that humans get in that it’s a highly contagious bacterium that is transmitted in the air. It’s been named Kennel Cough because among heavily populated areas, like animal shelters/kennels, dog shows, and even obedience classes, where there are many dogs together, this virus can pass from one pooch to the next.
Incubation is about 8-10 days, which means, Milton would have the virus for a week or so before even beginning to show signs. You may also notice that with increased activity, he coughs even more, or more frequently.
The disease is not contagious to humans, but can be highly contagious to other animals, like cats, birds, etc. Although there are vaccines available, they are not 100%. Think of the many flu vaccines that are created each year because the strains keep changing. Well, Kennel Cough is much the same way.
As with any health concerns, although Kennel Cough is not serious, ANY cough should be checked out by your vet. More serious problems, such as heart problems, may also present with a cough. Your vet will be able to tell very quickly if it’s just a simple cough or not.
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