Kennel cough pertains to the choking and coughing suffered by a dog which is also known as canine infectious tracheobronchial. Kennel cough is not considered as a deadly disease and as such dogs can heal without even the need for treatment or medication. Kennel cough also goes by the name of Bordtella.

Dogs are like humans, too in a sense that they also suffer from colds. Kennel cough is mostly caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium.

Dogs get infected by Bordetella when they get to inhale the virus particles of the bacteria that go straight into their respiratory tract. Dogs have linings of mucus in their respiratory tract to protect them from contracting diseases by trapping the virus particles. There are however cases where the linings do not work efficiently and as such, dogs get infected with viruses.

The infection can cause inflammation on the dog’s trachea or windpipe and the voice box or larynx.

Kennel cough explained

There are different factors that account for the failure of the linings with mucus to trap the virus particles that enter the respiratory tracts of dogs. These include cold temperatures or weather, inhalation of cigarette smoke and dust particles, stress from traveling and being in overcrowded or unventilated areas like dog shelters.

Dogs who suffer from the kennel cough experience constant coughing, and they make a sound that is similar to the sound of a goose honking.

Dogs also experience other symptoms when they have the kennel cough such as runny nose, sneezing as well as discharges in the eye.

Some dogs also lose their appetite and have lower energy levels when they suffer from this disease.

Dog owners should be careful and separate their dogs with the kennel coughs from other animals since this disease is contagious. Kennel cough does not require medication, but treatments will hasten the healing of the dogs afflicted with this medical condition.