How Do You Treat Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is also known as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD).  This disease causes inflammation of the trachea and bronchioles. This causes your pal to have a dry cough.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of kennel cough include persistent dry cough, coughing during the night preventing sleep, retching white foam, and tracheal sensitivity. However, some more severe symptoms of kennel cough include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, and labored breathing. Depending on the severity of the condition, symptoms will show up differently among different dogs.

Causes

Kennel cough is often spread from an infected dog through coughing or sneezing. Additionally, it can also be spread through infected toys or food and water bowls. So, dogs do not need to be in direct contact with each other for this disease to spread. Kennel cough usually spreads in crowded areas with warm, moist air and poor airflow. These areas can include animal shelters, boarding kennels, doggy daycare facilities, grooming facilities, and dog parks. Lastly, it can take three to four days for your pal to develop a kennel cough after exposure.

Treatment

If your pup has a mild case of kennel cough, treatment focuses on rest, hydration, and nutrition. So, ensure that your pal is drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, and resting. Additionally, your vet may prescribe a cough suppressant. But, it may take one or two weeks for your companion to recover. However, more severe cases may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy.

You can use some home remedies to soothe your pal’s throat. You can use a humidifier, use your shower for steam therapy, or add a little bit of honey to warm water in a bowl.

Follow the tips above for treating your companion’s kennel cough. But, don’t forget to visit your vet for an expert opinion and treatment plan!