Kennel Cough

[sandymere 8,263]

Kennel cough is a term used to describe a broad spectrum of infections of the upper airways of dogs much as a “common cold” is in humans. In the majority of cases in a healthy adult dog these easily caught and spread infections will settle in their own time. A warm bed, good food and rest are the best treatment with perhaps the addition of a simple linctus type cough medicine. Not every dog coming into contact with an infected animal will become symptomatic but infection risk is increased if an animal is stressed i.e. in boarding kennels etc in a similar way to a human catching a cold when they’re a little run down.

 

Dogs may become infected but not obviously symptomatic in that they do not get a cough but may have inflamed airways and so need recovery time also will they will be infectious to others, so if one dog becomes infected it’s worth treating your others as having it and give all appropriate rest and recuperation etc. The infection can be passed for up to a couple of months after a case but is at its most infectious whilst an animal is actively coughing. The commonest symptoms are the presence a “hacking cough culminating in retching that may produce a little foam, fluid and is often exacerbated with exercise and may present anywhere from a couple of days to weeks after exposure.

 

There are inoculations, nasal or injection, against this but they are not full proof as they do not give resistance to all of the viruses or occasional bacterial infections that can cause it and may reduce symptoms rather than stop infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed if things don’t settle but in the majority of cases of simple Kennel cough they should not be required but rather used if secondary more serious infection follows leading to pneumonia. In most cases symptoms settle in a week or two but if the cough is getting worse rather than better then see a vet.

 

[bird 10,014]

Kennel cough is a term used to describe a broad spectrum of infections of the upper airways of dogs much as a “common cold” is in humans. In the majority of cases in a healthy adult dog these easily caught and spread infections will settle in their own time. A warm bed, good food and rest are the best treatment with perhaps the addition of a simple linctus type cough medicine. Not every dog coming into contact with an infected animal will become symptomatic but infection risk is increased if an animal is stressed i.e. in boarding kennels etc in a similar way to a human catching a cold when they’re a little run down.

 

Dogs may become infected but not obviously symptomatic in that they do not get a cough but may have inflamed airways and so need recovery time also will they will be infectious to others, so if one dog becomes infected it’s worth treating your others as having it and give all appropriate rest and recuperation etc. The infection can be passed for up to a couple of months after a case but is at its most infectious whilst an animal is actively coughing. The commonest symptoms are the presence a “hacking cough culminating in retching that may produce a little foam, fluid and is often exacerbated with exercise and may present anywhere from a couple of days to weeks after exposure.

 

There are inoculations, nasal or injection, against this but they are not full proof as they do not give resistance to all of the viruses or occasional bacterial infections that can cause it and may reduce symptoms rather than stop infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed if things don’t settle but in the majority of cases of simple Kennel cough they should not be required but rather used if secondary more serious infection follows leading to pneumonia. In most cases symptoms settle in a week or two but if the cough is getting worse rather than better then see a vet.

 

any info sandy ( conjunctives ) my dog seems to get it fair bit , its when he been digging around holes after rabbits etc. I think its dust/ dirt etc. that causes it ,. I got some clear jel from vet that I squeeze into his eyes , it works no prob, but I have to keep him away from berry/s if he starting digging as it come back to his eyes.?

[sandymere 8,263]

He's just likely a little sensitive to the dust etc, if the gel works then all’s good. As an alternative I'd tend to clean em with a bit of very dilute saline, either wiping with cotton wool or flush a bit in if he will let you, if it don't settle then eye drops from the chemist, the bigger pharmacy’s tend to do their own brands which can be cheaper than the Optrex infected eyes.

 

regards n

[bird 10,014]

He's just likely a little sensitive to the dust etc, if the gel works then all’s good. As an alternative I'd tend to clean em with a bit of very dilute saline, either wiping with cotton wool or flush a bit in if he will let you, if it don't settle then eye drops from the chemist, the bigger pharmacy’s tend to do their own brands which can be cheaper than the Optrex infected eyes.

 

regards n

thanks yeh the gel works ok , its just he keeps getting it evey time he starts to dig the bloody holes , I will keep him away from them, it prob more of a summer thing , as its not as bad in the winter , still gets a bit but don't seem as bad .!

[sandymere 8,263]

Could try piriton, if it's an allergy it might settle before it starts if given as soon as you get back home when he's been digging

[delboy_187 904]

Good oul Sandymere the doctor you never see

[sandymere 8,263]

I saw myself this morning having a shave !