Kennel Cough in Dogs - A Contagious Respiratory Infection

Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a common and highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs. It typically causes a dry, hoarse cough and spreads quickly in places where many dogs come together, such as boarding kennels, dog training classes, shelters or dog shows.

Important beforehand

Important beforehand: Fidello is not a veterinarian. This page is intended to inform you and does not provide a diagnosis. Are you unsure about your dog's health, or do you recognise the signs described below? Always contact a veterinarian.

What is kennel cough?

Kennel cough is the collective name for inflammation of the windpipe and upper airways in dogs. The name refers to how easily and quickly the condition spreads between dogs kept close together. The most recognisable sign is a dry, persistent cough that often sounds as if something is stuck in the throat.

Causes of kennel cough

Kennel cough is usually not caused by a single pathogen, but by a combination of viruses and bacteria that irritate and weaken the airways together. Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus are the most frequently mentioned causes, often together with other viruses such as canine adenovirus. Because several pathogens can cause a similar clinical picture, the condition is often referred to in practice as the "kennel cough complex" rather than a single specific pathogen.

The infection spreads through small airborne droplets (for example from coughing or sneezing) and through shared food and water bowls, toys or surfaces. Stress factors such as overcrowding, poor ventilation and a temporary stay in a new environment can increase the risk of infection.

Which dogs are at risk?

Kennel cough can in principle occur in any dog and is not linked to a specific breed. However, puppies, older dogs and dogs with reduced immunity are more often reported to be more susceptible to a more severe course. Dogs with a shorter muzzle (brachycephalic breeds, such as the French Bulldog or the Pug) naturally already have narrower airways, which means coughing symptoms may feel more pronounced for them, although this is not a confirmed increased risk of the infection itself. Dogs that regularly come into contact with many other dogs - for example in a boarding kennel, training class, shelter or dog show - do have a confirmed higher risk of infection, simply due to greater exposure.

Symptoms of kennel cough

Symptoms of kennel cough can vary in severity from dog to dog. Early signs that are commonly reported include:

• A dry, harsh or hoarse cough, sometimes ending in a "gagging" motion;
• Coughing that worsens with excitement, exercise or pressure on the throat (for example from a collar);
• Mild nasal discharge or watery eyes;
• Occasional sneezing.

Most dogs otherwise remain fit, active and keep a normal appetite. Signs that require urgent attention, where a veterinarian should be consulted immediately, include: fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, rapid or laboured breathing, or a cough that lasts longer than two to three weeks or gets worse.

When to see a veterinarian

Contact a veterinarian if your dog has been coughing for more than a few days, if the cough is accompanied by fever, listlessness or breathing difficulties, or if it concerns a puppy, an older dog or a dog with an underlying condition. If in doubt, it is always wiser to call the veterinary practice than to wait and see.

How is kennel cough diagnosed?

A veterinarian usually makes a diagnosis based on the clinical picture, the history (such as a recent stay at a boarding kennel or contact with other dogs) and a physical examination. In case of an unclear picture, a persistent cough, or concerns about complications, further investigation may be carried out, such as listening to the lungs, blood tests or a chest X-ray. This investigation is always determined and carried out by the veterinarian.

Treatment of kennel cough in broad terms

In an uncomplicated case, a veterinarian will often mainly advise rest and observation, as the body can clear the infection on its own in many cases. If the veterinarian suspects a bacterial component or sees complications, medication may be considered. The exact treatment plan, including any medication and its duration, is always determined by the veterinarian based on your dog's individual situation.

What you can do yourself

Alongside your veterinarian's advice, there are things you can do at home to support recovery: give your dog rest and limit busy or exciting situations, temporarily use a harness instead of a collar to avoid pressure on the throat, provide a calm, well-ventilated environment, and limit contact with other dogs as much as possible while your dog is coughing. These measures support recovery but do not replace a veterinary visit or treatment.

Preventing kennel cough

Vaccination against (parts of) the kennel cough complex is a familiar topic for many veterinarians and boarding kennels, and is in some cases even required for a stay at a kennel or participation in a training class. Whether vaccination makes sense for your dog, and which vaccination schedule fits best, is best discussed with your own veterinarian. It also helps to regularly clean shared toys, bowls and surfaces, and to temporarily keep a coughing dog away from places with many other dogs.

Living with a dog that has (had) kennel cough

In most dogs, kennel cough resolves on its own within one to three weeks, although a lingering cough can sometimes take a little longer to disappear completely. As long as your dog is coughing, it is wise to limit contact with other dogs, since the condition can still be contagious during this period. After recovery, most dogs can fully resume their normal activities.

Frequently asked questions about kennel cough

Is kennel cough dangerous for my dog? In most healthy adult dogs, kennel cough runs a mild course without lasting effects. In puppies, older dogs or dogs with an underlying condition, the course can be more severe, which makes veterinary follow-up more important.

Can I become infected as a human? Kennel cough is considered a condition that is transmitted almost exclusively between dogs. Rare cases have been reported in people with a severely weakened immune system; discuss any concerns about this with your doctor or veterinarian.

How long is my dog contagious? This varies per dog and per pathogen, but as a general rule it is advised to limit contact with other dogs for as long as the cough lasts. Your veterinarian can give you an estimate for your specific situation.

Kennel cough: in summary

Kennel cough is a common, highly contagious respiratory infection that runs a mild course in most dogs, and is most easily recognised by a dry, persistent cough. With rest, limited contact with other dogs and, where necessary, guidance from a veterinarian, most dogs recover fully within a few weeks.

In closing

In closing: this article does not replace a visit to the veterinarian. Fidello does not provide diagnoses or prescribe treatments. If in doubt, if symptoms persist, or in the case of acute signs, a veterinarian is always the right next step.