Common Disease Name:
Kennel Cough
Medical Term for Disease:
Infectious tracheobronchitis.
Species Affected by Disease:
Age Animal Usually Affected:
Any, but young dogs are more
susceptible. Most severe in puppies that are 6 weeks to 6 months old and among
puppies from commercial pet shops and humane society shelters. 
Dogs
boarding at kennels are also susceptible.
Commonly Affected Breeds:
Any
Sex Usually Affected:
Any
Disease Symptoms:
Hacking cough - sounds like something is stuck in the dog's throat. The disease is usually mild, and often the only symptom is coughing. The cough can be mild to very harsh, often being described as a 'honking cough'. Severe infectious tracheobronchitis infections can have a low-grade or fluctuating fever (103-104 F), and cause loss of appetite and lethargy. There may be nasal discharge, a moist or productive cough, difficulty breathing and intolerance to exercise. The lung sounds can be normal or be more intense, with crackles or wheezes. The dog may retch up white phlegm and/or food after severe coughing and gagging.
Method(s) of Diagnosis:
A diagnosis usually is made by eliminating the noninfectious causes of coughing. It is difficult to identify a specific infectious agent for kennel cough. The dog's history usually reveals some exposure to infection. Also, the dog's vaccination status is important.
Disease Causes:
Kennel cough, is a broad term disease caused by several bacteria and viruses. It is highly contagious and the most common causes are the bacteria Bordetella bronchoseptica, canine adenovirus-2 and to a lesser degree, canine Para influenza virus. Incriminated viral causes include canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), canine Para influenza (CPI), canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), canine reovirus-1, canine reovirus-2, canine reovirus-3, and canine herpes virus. CAV-2 and CPI virus may damage the respiratory epithelium to such an extent that invasion by various bacteria and/or mycoplasmas results in severe airway disease. It is likely that Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pasteurella, Streptococcus, and Mycoplasma and other bacterial species are equally capable of causing signs of infectious tracheobronchitis.
Treatment:
Antibiotics & cough suppressants,
but cough suppressants should not be used in animals with pneumonia. Enforce
rest for at least 14-21 days for uncomplicated infectious tracheobronchitis.
Dogs with radiographic evidence of pneumonia should rest until the pneumonia
resolves and the radiograph is negative. 
Isolation of a dog affected
with infectious tracheobronchitis is encouraged because of the contagious nature
and ease of transmission.
Prognosis:
Good. Response to medication is usually rapid and full recovery usually takes one to two weeks in uncomplicated cases.
Complications:
Pneumonia - if severe and untreated - can cause death. Exercise, barking or pressure on the throat aggravates the cough.
Prevention:
Vaccination will prevent some forms of kennel cough
Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
Puppies can be vaccinated intranasally (Intra-Trac-II, Schering-Plough Animal Health; Naramune-2, Bio-Ceutic Laboratories; Bronchi-Shield, Fort Dodge Laboratories) as early as 2-4 weeks of age without interference from maternal antibody, followed by annual revaccination. Mature dogs can receive a one-dose intranasal vaccination at the same time as their puppies or at the time they receive their annual vaccinations.
Helpful Products:
Using harnesses or gentle leaders to walk your dog until he is recovered instead of collars prevents pressure on the trachea which can trigger coughing fits.
