Kennel Cough – now called Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease

As the weather cools and the holidays bring travel, we often see an increase in what is commonly referred to as kennel cough. This is partly because dog boarding facilities become busier at this time of year. Now renamed Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease, this is an infectious bronchitis in dogs that causes a harsh, hacking cough. It is often described as a “goose-honking” cough or sounding as if “something is stuck in their throat.” It can be dry or productive – often the dogs will cough several times before bringing up a bit of phlegm/foam. It can be mild and self-limiting, or it can be more severe, and require medication. It can also progress to pneumonia at times. This depends on the dog’s individual immune system and the infectious agents involved. A typical uncomplicated infection will last approximately one or two weeks and involve only coughing – the dogs will still eat and act normal. A more complicated infection will last longer, and often the dogs are ill – not eating, lethargic, febrile, heavy breathing, etc.

There are many organisms that can be involved in causing kennel cough, and quite often it is more than one agent involved at a time. Common causes include: Bordetella bronchiseptica (a bacteria), Parainfluenza virus, Adenovirus type 2, Canine distemper virus, Canine influenza virus, Canine herpesvirus, Canine reovirus, Canine respiratory coronavirus, and Mycoplasma canis (a single-cell organism which is neither a virus or a bacterium).

Infection typically occurs because dogs are often contagious before and after they are coughing. This means they can enter a kennel or other facility with other dogs and spread the infection without showing any sign of the disease. The incubation period is typically between 2 and 14 days. It is also possible for some dogs to shed the pathogens for up to 3 months following their infection. The infectious agents are shed from the respiratory system – the secretions become aerosolized and float in the air to be inhaled by other dogs. The organisms can also be transmitted on toys, bowls, clothing/shoes, or other objects.

Diagnosis is typically made with history of exposure to other dogs within the proper time frame along with examination findings. Radiographs are not diagnostic for kennel cough, but are indicated if secondary pneumonia is suspected – or if other causes of cough are suspected (i.e. heart disease). Occasionally, swabbing the throat and submitting a respiratory panel to the lab is performed in attempts to guide therapy and understand prognosis/expectations.

Many cases will resolve on their own, however, antibiotics are commonly used to speed up recovery and prevent secondary infections. If there is severe coughing, cough suppressants are used. Vaccinations are available for some of the infectious agents: Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza virus, canine distemper virus, and canine influenza. Infections from the other agents cannot be prevented through vaccines. This is important to remember as it indicates that dogs can contract “kennel cough” despite being up to date on their vaccinations.

While most cases of this disease are mild and self resolving, they are at the very least aggravating to the dog and to their owners, and at the worst can develop into pneumonia. Be sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccines if they will be exposed to other dogs and alert veterinary and/or kennel staff to any coughing before visiting their office or boarding facility.