How Long Is Kennel Cough Contagious in Dogs

Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can spread quickly among dogs.

It typically takes 2-14 days for symptoms to appear after exposure to an infected dog.

The length of time kennel cough is contagious varies depending on several factors.

Dogs with kennel cough are usually contagious for around 7-21 days, but in some cases it can last up to a month.

Kennel cough is a contagious respiratory infection that affects dogs, and it's essential to recognize its symptoms early on. The primary symptom is a strong, dry-sounding cough often accompanied by a "honking" sound.

Other common signs of kennel cough include runny nose, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, and low fever. If your dog is showing these symptoms, it's crucial to report them to your veterinarian immediately.

Some dogs may also develop conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and nasal discharge. However, if your dog remains active and alert with a normal appetite, kennel cough might be the primary diagnosis. In such cases, your vet will typically diagnose kennel cough from a physical exam and history.

Here are some key symptoms to look out for:

If your dog is showing severe symptoms, such as depression, fever, or abnormal lung sounds, further diagnostic tests may be necessary.

The primary sign of kennel cough is a dry-sounding, spasmodic cough caused by pathogens that induce inflammation of the trachea and bronchi.

Some dogs also develop conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and a nasal discharge, but they usually remain active and alert and continue to eat well.

A dog with kennel cough will often retch and cough up a white foamy discharge after a coughing spell.

If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, isolate it from other dogs and call your veterinarian immediately.

The cough is very characteristic and can be easily elicited by massaging the dog's larynx or trachea.

Here are some common symptoms of kennel cough:

If your dog is depressed, feverish, expelling a thick yellow or green discharge from its nose, or making abnormal lung sounds, further diagnostic tests may be necessary.

These can include a complete blood count (CBC), chest x-ray, and laboratory analysis of the microorganisms inhabiting your dog's airways.

Kennel cough is a respiratory disease that attacks the lining of a dog's respiratory tract and leads to inflammation and irritation of their upper airway.

The Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and canine parainfluenza virus are common causes of kennel cough, which can be serious for young puppies, senior dogs, or those with a weakened immune system.

Dogs can spread kennel cough through direct contact with an infected dog's droplets or by touching objects that the infected droplets have landed on.

Worth a look: Dog Upper Respiratory Infection vs Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is highly contagious and can spread quickly among dogs that congregate in places like dog parks, daycare facilities, and boarding kennels.

Dogs can contract kennel cough through airborne droplets, direct contact with other dogs, or contaminated surfaces like water or food bowls.

Places where dogs are likely to come into close proximity with each other, such as dog shows or training groups, are high-risk areas for the spread of kennel cough.

Broaden your view: How Fast Does Kennel Cough Spread

If your dog regularly spends time with other dogs, ask your vet about vaccinating your pet against kennel cough.

The kennel cough vaccine is not 100% fail-safe since kennel cough can be caused by a wide variety of pathogens.

Dogs that are immunocompromised due to health conditions or puppies younger than 6 months old may experience more severe symptoms of kennel cough.

To prevent the spread of kennel cough, keep your dog away from other dogs until they have fully recovered.

Diagnosis and treatment are essential steps in managing kennel cough.

A proper veterinary examination and diagnostics must be performed to confirm a diagnosis of kennel cough. This is crucial before starting any treatment regimen.

In most cases, your vet may decide that no medications are required, and rest will help the infection run its course. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, antibiotics or cough suppressants may be prescribed to provide relief and prevent secondary infections.

Antibiotics like doxycycline can take care of bacterial causes of kennel cough, but it's essential to note that most cases are caused by viruses, making antibiotics ineffective in treating the primary infection.

Broaden your view: What Antibiotic Is Used for Kennel Cough

The first step to diagnosing CIRDC is a visit to your veterinarian, who will recommend next steps after you describe any signs you've noticed.

If your dog has mild CIRDC, they'll likely improve quickly and no diagnostic tests are needed. Your vet will make a "presumptive" diagnosis by examining your dog for signs of illness, ruling out other causes of cough, and asking about exposure to other dogs or multiple-dog settings.

Your veterinarian may already know about other cases of CIRDC in the area, which can strengthen their suspicions.

If your dog is getting worse despite supportive treatment, or if there's an outbreak with multiple affected dogs, testing is recommended. Your vet will collect swab samples from the throat, nose, and/or edges of the eyes for lab testing to confirm infection and identify the specific bacteria/viruses involved.

Less commonly, blood tests may be recommended in some cases.

Expand your knowledge: Symptoms Diabetes Dogs

Kennel cough can be treated with antibiotics if your vet suspects a secondary bacterial infection is present.

In some cases, no medications are required and rest is the best treatment for your dog.

A veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent secondary infections or cough suppressants to provide relief from persistent coughing.

It's essential to avoid using neck collars while your dog is recovering and switch to a body harness when taking them for walks.

Using a humidifier in rooms where your dog spends time can help relieve their symptoms.

Most dogs recover from kennel cough within a week or two, but if symptoms persist longer than expected, a follow-up veterinary appointment is necessary.

In some cases, kennel cough can lead to pneumonia.

Vaccines can dramatically reduce the duration and severity of kennel cough disease.

Dogs vaccinated for the CIRD pathogens have a much better prognosis than those who aren't.

Even with vaccination, most dogs will still get kennel cough, but it will be milder and shorter-lived.

This is because vaccination doesn't completely prevent infection in most cases.

A fresh viewpoint: Kennel Cough after Bordetella Treatment