Is There a Test for Kennel Cough in Canines

Kennel cough, a common canine respiratory issue, can be a real concern for dog owners. There are several tests available to diagnose kennel cough.

A veterinarian may perform a physical examination to assess the severity of symptoms and take a complete medical history. This helps identify potential underlying conditions.

The presence of a cough is the primary indicator of kennel cough. According to the article, a cough lasting more than a day is a key symptom.

Diagnosing Kennel Cough can be a straightforward process, but it's not always a simple matter of running a test. Normally, diagnosis is made by a physical exam and history of exposure, according to veterinarians. This is usually sufficient for mild cases of kennel cough.

However, if your dog is showing signs of other severe symptoms, your veterinarian may want to run other diagnostic tests such as an X-ray, blood test or laboratory analysis. These tests can help determine whether or not your dog has developed pneumonia or other diseases as a result of their kennel cough.

In cases where multiple dogs are affected, or if your dog is getting worse despite supportive treatment, testing is recommended. Your veterinarian will collect swab samples from the throat, nose, and/or edges of the eyes and submit those samples for lab testing to confirm infection and identify the specific bacteria/viruses involved.

Additional reading: Baer Testing

Diagnosing Kennel Cough can be a straightforward process, especially if you're aware of the common symptoms and behaviors of dogs with the illness. The first step to diagnosis is a visit to the veterinarian.

If you suspect your dog might have Kennel Cough, it's a good idea to call your veterinary clinic before taking your dog in to be seen and describe any signs you've noticed. Veterinary staff will recommend next steps to help your dog get the attention he or she needs, without infecting other patients.

Most dogs with mild Kennel Cough will improve fairly quickly, so there's no need for diagnostic tests in those cases. Your veterinarian will make a "presumptive" diagnosis of Kennel Cough by thoroughly examining your dog for signs of illness, ruling out other causes of cough, and asking questions about exposure to other dogs or multiple-dog settings.

In cases where multiple dogs are affected or your dog seems to be getting worse despite supportive treatment, testing is recommended. Your veterinarian will collect swab samples from the throat, nose, and/or edges of the eyes and submit those samples for lab testing to confirm infection and identify the specific bacteria/viruses involved.

Here are the different steps your veterinarian may take to diagnose Kennel Cough:

If your veterinarian suspects that your dog has developed pneumonia or other diseases as a result of Kennel Cough, they may also run additional diagnostic tests such as an X-ray or blood test.

Agents of CIRDC are quite diverse. Several viruses and bacteria can contribute to Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC).

Canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus type 2, canine influenza virus (subtypes H3N2 and H3N8), canine respiratory coronavirus, canine herpesvirus-1, and canine distemper virus are all organisms that can contribute to CIRDC. Some of these viruses can be prevented with standard vaccines.

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Other bacteria, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, can also contribute to CIRDC. Bordetella bronchiseptica requires additional vaccination.

Here are the agents of CIRDC that can be prevented with standard vaccines:

And here are the agents of CIRDC that require additional vaccination:

Mycoplasma species and Streptococcus equis subspecies zooepidemicus are also organisms that can contribute to CIRDC.

Testing for kennel cough can be done through a physical exam and history of exposure. This is often enough to make a diagnosis.

A veterinarian may also want to run other diagnostic tests if your dog is showing signs of severe symptoms. These tests can include an X-ray, blood test, or laboratory analysis.

Massaging your dog's larynx or trachea can elicit the characteristic cough of kennel cough. This is a simple way to tell if your dog has the illness.

Your veterinarian may want to run additional tests to determine if your dog has developed pneumonia or other diseases as a result of kennel cough.