Kennel Cough in Dogs: Signs, Treatment and Prevention

What it is

Kennel cough is the common name for canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), a group of contagious infections that inflame the trachea and airways. Several bacteria and viruses can be responsible, often at the same time. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes it as usually mild and self-limiting.

The typical sign is a sudden, frequent, honking cough, often compared with a goose, that can get worse with exercise. Some dogs also gag or retch, sneeze, or have a runny nose or eyes. A few dogs do not cough at all.

It spreads through coughed-out droplets, close contact, and shared toys, bowls, bedding and hands. Dogs can be contagious before they look ill. All dogs are susceptible, but it is most common in dogs that mix in kennels, shelters, daycare and training classes. Puppies, seniors and dogs with other illnesses are more likely to get seriously sick, and the infection can sometimes progress to bronchopneumonia.

Causes and risk factors

What you can do at home

If your dog has a mild case and is otherwise bright and eating, rest is the main treatment. Keep activity calm, because excitement tends to set off coughing. Use a harness rather than a collar or neck leash so there is no pressure on the throat, and make sure fresh water is always available.

Call your clinic before you go in. That lets staff advise you and avoid exposing other patients.

Keep your dog away from other dogs until the vet says it is safe. The AKC suggests at least two weeks after the cough stops, because dogs can stay contagious for a while. Wash your hands after handling your dog, and clean bowls, bedding and toys regularly.

Do not give cough suppressants or human cold medicines unless your vet recommends them. Suppressants are not appropriate if pneumonia is present, and only an exam can tell the difference. If your dog worsens, stops eating, gets a fever, or has any trouble breathing, see a vet promptly.

What happens at the vet

Vets usually diagnose mild kennel cough from the story and an exam: recent boarding, daycare or grooming, a honking cough and a dog who is otherwise well. If the cough is severe, your dog is not improving, or there is an outbreak, they may take chest X-rays or swabs from the nose or throat to look for the germs involved.

No medicine targets kennel cough itself. Mild cases get supportive care, mainly rest and time. The AVMA says antibiotics are usually not needed unless there are signs of bacterial pneumonia, which can include illness lasting more than 10 days. Some dogs with a stubborn cough may be prescribed cough relief or anti-inflammatory medicine, and the decision depends on whether pneumonia is present.

Dogs with severe illness may need fluids and, rarely, oxygen, and are kept isolated from other patients. Most dogs improve over one to three weeks, although stress can trigger a relapse during recovery. Tell your vet if the cough turns wet or productive, which can point to pneumonia.

Prevention

Vaccines reduce how often dogs get sick and how bad it gets, but they do not guarantee protection. Core vaccines cover some of the viruses involved, such as distemper, adenovirus and parainfluenza. For dogs that board, go to daycare or mix often, vets commonly add a Bordetella vaccine, which the AVMA notes is available as an annual intranasal option that can also include adenovirus and parainfluenza. An injectable canine influenza vaccine is recommended where that virus is circulating. The AKC says vaccinated dogs can still catch kennel cough from other germs, but they usually have a milder illness and recover faster.

Beyond vaccines, use common sense. Avoid sharing bowls and toys in public spaces, limit contact with coughing dogs, and skip busy places during local outbreaks. Check with your vet before traveling or boarding, since many facilities ask for proof of vaccination.

Start your puppy on the right schedule with the puppy first week checklist, and ask your vet which kennel cough vaccines make sense for your dog's lifestyle.