No one likes a sick dog! We all want healthy dogs! Recently, my family's dog has been coughing and hacking. There has been a case in South Kingstown where dogs attending the dog park have gotten sick from "kennel cough (canine infectious tracheobronchitis)," and it's going around fast!

Think of kennel cough as the common cold for dogs. It's not that serious, but somewhat annoying and tends to linger for a week or so. Kennel cough is almost exactly like that. Kennel cough can have many causes, and is most commonly found to be because of bordetella. Dogs catch this nasty cough when they inhale
bacteria or virus particles into their respiratory tract. When dogs have a
weaker immune system than normal, the bacteria can cause the larynx and
the trachea to become inflammed. 

How do dogs receive this nasty cough? Several factors can contribute such as cold temperatures, crowded or sheltered areas, exposure to dust or smoke, or even travel-induced stress which can weaken their protection and cause their voicebox and windpipe to get inflammed when in contact with the bacteria.  Symptoms of the cough can be: reverse sneeze, forceful cough, runny nose, and eye discharge. 

How to treat or prevent this? Kennel cough is contagious, so once you see these symptoms, keep your dog away from other dogs and see the vet right away! Most cases can settle after three weeks without medication or 6 weeks in older dogs.  If it's more serious than other cases, antibotics might be used to speed the recovery process. Keeping your dog in a humidifed area helps, as well as the use of a harness instead of a collar for the time being. To prevent kennel cough, there is three different types of vaccines available; nasal mist, oral, and injection. 

For any other questions about this terrible cough, please seek out your vet! In the end we want healthy dogs, so if you see any signs, contact them ASAP! Any other questions related to the article or pets in general, post them in the comments section below, or you can call the store at 294-9121 or e-mail us at customerservice@alliesstore.com.