Kennel Cough

Does Your Dog Sound Like A Duck?

Kennel cough or infectious tracheobronchitis is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs. It is an airborne disease that dogs can catch in places with multiple animals, such as kennels, grooming facilities, dog parks, and animal shelters. The Bordetella vaccine is given to prevent most forms of kennel cough, but like the human flu vaccine, it does not get every strain. Kennel cough can also be mistaken for heart disease, so please let us help your coughing dog!

The symptoms include a coughing sound like a duck honking. As the cough worsens, it can sound more like a gagging cough. It is not transferable to humans, and it is usually not deadly, but the dog feels terrible. They are usually lethargic and have very little appetite.

Treatment comes in the form of antibiotics, and cough suppressants. The symptoms will usually reduce rather quickly after treatment is started.