Kennel cough
Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection affecting dogs.[1] cause by a virus and bacteria, you need both to have the disease, canine parainfluenza virus and the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica. Highly contagious..[2] Kennel cough is so named because the infection can spread quickly among dogs in the close quarters of a kennel or animal shelter.
Viral and bacterial causes of canine cough are spread through airborne droplets produced by sneezing and coughing. These agents also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. Most causes of kennel cough are highly contagious, even days or weeks after symptoms disappear. Symptoms usually begin two to three days after exposure,[2] and can progress to lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia. This disease is not a zoonose, it can not be transmitted to humans.
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Symptoms and Diagnosis [edit]
Incubation period is 3-4 days, Symptoms can include a harsh, dry cough, retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging or vomiting in response to light pressing of the trachea or after excitement or exercise. The presence of a fever varies from case to case. The disease can last initially from 10–20 days and can rebreak when the dog is put into a stressful situation which puts stress on the dog's immune system. Diagnosis is made by seeing these symptoms; having a history of exposure is also helpful, but not always found, canine cough is an airborn virus, it is made through indirect contact. Dog get Canine cough but breathing in contained droplets of the virus or bacteria
Diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms and a history of recent exposure to other dogs. Bacterial cultures, viral isolation, and blood work can be performed to verify individual agents of the disease, but due to the characteristic nature of the symptoms, these tests are not routinely performed.[3]. The condition can become more severe with excerise, excitment or pull at the cough. Any distrubance to the trachea can cause further issues with this condition. Please ensure you seek medical attention for your dog if they are coughing, as it can be a sympton of other problems such as heartworm or collapsing trachea.
Treatment and prevention [edit]
Antibiotics are given to treat any bacterial infection present. Cough suppressants are used if the cough is not productive. Prevention is by vaccinating for canine adenovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, and Bordetella. In kennels, the best prevention is to keep all the cages disinfected. In some cases, such as Doggie Daycares or Non-Traditional Playcare type boarding environments, it is usually not a cleaning or disinfecting issue, but rather an airborne issue, as the dogs are in contact with each other's saliva and breath. Although most kennels require proof of vaccination, the vaccination is not a fail-safe preventative. Just like human influenza, even after receiving the vaccination, a dog can still contract mutated strains or less severe cases.
Human health risk [edit]
Until recently, infectious tracheobronchitis was considered to not be a human health risk. Recently however, research indicates that Bordetella bronchiseptica may cause disease in some humans, primarily those with compromised immune systems. In normal, healthy adults there does not appear to be a risk, but young children and immunocompromised individuals should take precautions against coming into contact with animals that have symptoms of tracheobronchitis.[3]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Crawford, Cynda. "Media Briefing on Canine Influenza". http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/t050926.htm. CDC. Retrieved Current.
- ^ a b Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C. (1995). Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (4th ed. ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-6795-3.
- ^ a b "Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis) in Dogs - http://www.vetarena.com/dogs-health-care-articles/27/kennel-cough-infectious-tracheobronchitis-dogs.html".
External links [edit]
Pfizer Animal Health Entry on Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis - Kennel Cough
