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Kennel cough may irritate owners, but it’s treatable
EDMOND — Q: I recently boarded my two schnauzers for five days at a local boarding kennel that I have used before. All of their shots are current, but in spite of that, two days after coming home this time one of them — the female and the younger of the two — started coughing heavily and gagging up mucous. She still eats OK but her “honking” is about to drive us crazy — it’s intermittent 24 hours a day. Our veterinarian gave us some pills to give her and said it soon will go away, but it’s still evident 10 days later. Any suggestions on curing and preventing this problem? Thanks, Allen T.
A: Allen, and his schnauzer, obviously are dealing with the most prevalent upper respiratory condition that we see in the U.S. dog population. Commonly called “kennel cough,” you also may hear it referred to in medical parlance as tracheobronchitis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis or Bordetellosis. Kennel cough is considered highly contagious and eventually will infect a high percentage of dogs in their lifetime.
As to its cause, kennel cough is actually an ever-changing combination of viral and bacterial infections — most commonly the parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchisepticus bacteria. But many other combinations have been isolated.
Each dog’s immune system is different, making every case of kennel cough unique. This is clearly exemplified when you consider that Allen’s older dog, similarly exposed, remains symptom-free. Uniformly the microorganisms, working in conjunction, exert irritating damage to the sensitive lining of the dog’s trachea and upper bronchi, resulting in the symptoms described above.
Tracheobronchitis is transmitted via the expired air of an infected dog, much in the same manner that human “colds” are transmitted. Infected dogs have been known to spread the causative organisms for weeks after appearing to have completely recovered. Thus, prevention here is paramount — especially in high-risk individuals such as those who spend time in boarding kennels, veterinary hospitals, dog shows or any closed environment that involves “dog crowding.” Close proximity grossly enhances the chance of exposure and consequent infection.
Allen stated that his schnauzer had been given required shots — however, the normally employed 5-in-1 or 7-in-1 vaccines do not impart optimal protection against the infectious kennel cough complex. To achieve good immunity in this area ask your veterinarian to administer the newer intra-nasal vaccine — and do it two or three weeks prior to a potential exposure to provide a period for full protective immunity to build up.
If uncomplicated, most cases of kennel cough in dogs will subside in 10 to 15 days, with or without medical treatment, which usually consists of an antibiotic and cough suppressants. But if it persists beyond this period, a veterinary examination is indicated to make certain you are not dealing with some other, more serious, respiratory disorder such as Blastomycosis, heartworm, cardiac disease or collapsed trachea.
DR. WILLIAM K. FAUKS is a retired Oklahoma City veterinarian. If you have any questions regarding the health of your pet, please write to “Ask a Vet,” at 3142 Venice Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73112, or e-mail bfauks1@aol.com.
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