#GoodToKnow - Kennel Cough
Kennel Cough is something many dog owners will have heard of, particularly if you’ve ever looked into boarding for your dog, but how much do you know about KC and what to do if you spot any of the symptoms in your dog?
What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel Cough (KC) is a highly infectious illness that affects a dog’s airways, giving them a cough and sometimes more serious symptoms such as a fever. KC is easily transmitted between dogs even in an open air environment - it’s airborne, and can survive on surfaces and in the environment for several weeks.
Why should pet parents be aware of it?
Although KC isn’t usually a serious illness, it will make your dog unwell for a week or two. Most dogs will suffer a bit with a cough and some may develop a fever and lose their appetite, however in dogs with weaker immune systems, including elderly and young dogs, KC can be more severe and lead to further complications such as pneumonia.
The main thing you need to be aware of, however, is how easily it spreads. Even outdoors, KC can spread between dogs and can linger on surfaces and in the space for weeks after your dog has been there, meaning that other dogs can easily pick up the same bug and become infected themselves. I’ve seen it happen before amongst the local dog walking community, where one dog has picked up KC after a stay in kennels and then come out on a walk and before you know it, everyone who walks in the woods has now got a dog with KC!
What are the key symptoms?
The main symptom of KC is the cough itself. Here’s a description of how it may sound, from a resource developed by the Royal Veterinary College:
“The most obvious symptom is a forceful, hacking cough. It often sounds like your dog has something stuck in their throat. The cough can be dry and hoarse or productive, in which case it can be followed by a gag, swallowing motion or the production of mucus. It differs from the coughlike sound known as reverse sneezing, (common in certain breeds) and is triggered by a throat irritation.”
Other symptoms can include a runny nose or eye discharge [2], and more serious symptoms in vulnerable dogs such as elderly or young dogs include reduced appetite, low energy, and a fever [1].
What should you do if you spot these symptoms and suspect Kennel Cough?
The single most important thing to know with KC is that it’s so extremely contagious that you MUST isolate your dog from others immediately if you suspect they may be suffering with it. This means not taking your dog out with you to public places, reducing walks, and skipping group classes or other similar activities.
There’s no need to panic with KC - it’s a fairly minor illness that in most healthy, adult dogs, won’t make them feel overly unwell. It is important to note, however, that some dogs are at higher risk of complications as a result of KC; young and elderly dogs, or those with weakened immune systems due to other health issues, are all at an increased risk of developing secondary conditions such as pneumonia. [1][2]
If you think your dog may have contracted KC and are concerned, step one is to ring up your vet. It’s crucial that you don’t take your dog into your veterinary practice straight away - if they are infected with KC, they could then be spreading the illness to every dog in the practice, including those more vulnerable due to serious ailments. Call your vet practice, and inform them that you suspect KC. They may be able to advise you over the phone, or schedule an appointment with your dog at a safe time.
The PDSA recommends seeking your vet’s advice if your dog has a new cough that has been consistent for more than a few days, as there are other conditions that could also cause this symptom so it’s worth getting it checked out. [1] What’s good to know is that most dogs will recover after a week or two without the need for medication or other intervention.
Your dog will need to rest whilst recovering from KC, and exercise can make the cough worse [1]. This, plus the fact that being in public spaces and around other dogs puts those dogs at risk, means that you may need to reduce or skip walks entirely for a while, until your dog is better and for a couple of weeks after. For ideas on how to occupy and enrich a dog who can’t walk for whatever reason, check out ‘The Vet Says Rest’ by Laura Carter IMDT - available on Amazon.
What can you do to prevent Kennel Cough?
As with humans and the common cold, it’s hard to prevent KC entirely because it can be caused by lots of different bacteria. However, there is a vaccine which protects against one of the most common bacteria that causes KC. This vaccine lasts for 12 months, and is often a requirement for dogs attending doggy daycare centres or being boarded in kennels. [1][2]
This vaccine isn’t routinely administered as part of your dog’s yearly boosters, so it’s important that you speak to your vet directly about adding this vaccine to your dog’s booster schedule - especially if you board your dog in kennels, send them to daycare, or they otherwise spend a lot of time mixing with loads of other dogs.