Kennel Cough in Working Canines

Kennel cough can also be difficult to treat in a working dog, as a major part of the treatment is to stay calm and get plenty of rest. Since kennel cough does not usually cause a dog to feel sick, it is hard to convince the working breeds to lie on the sofa and eat doggie bon bons for a week or two.

Overview of Kennel Cough

If your dog has had recent contact with other dogs and one night, out of the blue, he sounds like he may have swallowed a goose, he may have kennel cough. Your veterinarian can assess whether or not your dog has this illness, and will prescribe a treatment plan for him.

Kennel cough is an airborne bacterial infection usually caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica. There is a vaccination for this bacteria, but it does not cover every strain of Bordetella. The time it takes for a dog to develop symptoms after exposure to the bacteria is approximately three to seven days. Once the dog begins coughing, he may do so for up to three weeks.

This illness rarely has any other symptoms other than a persistent, dry, honking cough. If the throat becomes very irritated there may be some vomiting as well. If your dog exhibits other signs of illness such as fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite, you should consult with your veterinarian as your dog may have a secondary infection.

Since kennel cough is transmitted via the air, it can be found in even the cleanest kennels and can be contracted by even the most pampered and pedigreed pooch.

About Kennel Cough in Working Canines

Owning a working dog that has kennel cough can be a little more difficult than owning a more sedentary dog that has this illness. Prevention is made more difficult because most working dogs need lots of exercise. They often compete in dog sports, and go out for walks and jogs with their owners where they are exposed to other dogs.

Keeping these particularly active dogs calm during treatment to allow the bronchial tract to heal is not easy, either. Although there is no practical way to keep a working dog from catching this common illness, there are some preventative steps you can take. There are also ways to keep your busy working dog quietly entertained that will encourage him to lie down.

Preventative Measures Against Kennel Cough

Make sure your working dog is vaccinated against Bordetella. This is especially necessary if your dog is going to be in a boarding kennel situation or if he is going to be in close contact with other dogs. Although the vaccine greatly reduces the risk of infection, remember that it is still possible for your dog to contract another strain of Bordetella.

There is little you can do to keep your dog from becoming infected by dogs that you are unfamiliar with. This illness is in the air, so no direct contact has to be made between the dogs. If you hear a dog let out a distinctive cough, do not buy an explanation that "He just does that because he is pulling on the leash". This may be true, but if it isn't, you may incur vet bills, sleepless nights listening to relentless coughing, and a myriad of other aggravations. In addition to vaccinating your working dog, here are some additional measures you can take to prevent your dog from contracting kennel cough.

• Do not keep your dog near coughing dogs.

• If one of the family dogs has kennel cough, you should try to isolate them from the other dogs in the household.

• Wash your hands after any contact with an infected dog.

Treating Kennel Cough in Working Canines

Kennel cough is treated by veterinarians on an individual basis. Part of any treatment plan for this illness is isolation to prevent exposing other dogs to Bordetella. Keeping your dog home and quiet also reduces inflammation of the bronchial tract. Holding still and resting is often the most impossible part of the treatment plan. There are a few things that you can do to keep your working dog entertained that do not involve running, bounding, barking, jumping, spinning, and all of his other normal activities.

• Give your dog a big knuckle bone from the butcher shop to gnaw on.
• Fill a Kong dog toy with healthy treats and keep your dog occupied while he tries to work them out.
• Offer a variety of interactive toys while he is in an ex-pen or other small confined area.
• Spend extra time just petting your working dog, keeping your demeanor calm and quiet.

Other treatment measures may include running a cool mist humidifier, and administering cough medicines recommended by your veterinarian. A simple case of kennel cough will clear up on its own over time, provided that there is no occurrence of secondary infections.

Rest, plenty of fluids and time will have your working dog back on the agility course or at the weight pull competition in no time!