This disease can be difficult to distinguish from pneumonia associated with canine distemper virus, which can attack the nervous system after causing respiratory signs. Young animals can also develop pneumonia because of an abnormal immune system or an inability to respond to an infection.
Specific diagnostic tests can be required in these instances. These signs of illness and the presence of a moist cough for more than 2 or 3 days should prompt consultation with your veterinarian. Young animals in particular can become dehydrated easily because of a combination of fever and lack of water intake. The total number of white cells is usually increased in a dog or cat with pneumonia. Puppies and dogs of any age with compromised immune symptoms are more likely to develop pneumonia.
In severe cases, kennel cough can cause death. Recovery from kennel cough usually takes about 10 to 14 days. Your dog's veterinarian may prescribe cough suppressants or antibiotics, depending on the severity of the disease.
While your dog recovers, it's important to limit his or her usual activities and avoid using collars, as they can irritate the throat. A bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine can help protect your dog from contracting kennel cough, although the vaccine won't prevent infections caused by viruses.
Several strains of the flu can sicken your cat or dog. The first canine influenza strain emerged in , according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Because the illness if fairly recent, many dogs haven't yet been exposed to it and haven't developed an immunity.
The Association notes that nearly every dog exposed to canine influenza will develop the viral illness. Canine influenza causes a moist cough, sneezing, fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharge and lethargy. Some dogs will develop the more severe form, which causes a high fever and pneumonia. The illness usually lasts about 10 days to one month. Limiting your pet's activities during the recovery period can be helpful.
Research has shown that this bacteria is closely related to the one that causes whooping cough in humans. Kennel cough is usually caused by a combination of both Bordetella and viruses, such as canine distemper or canine influenza. These viruses weaken the immune system and attack cells in the respiratory tract.
While the disease usually affects dogs, other animals , such as cats, rabbits, horses, mice, and guinea pigs, can develop it as well. People with compromised immune systems, such as those who have lung cancer or HIV , are more likely to get it. The infection can be life threatening only in puppies, older dogs, or immune-compromised dogs. As its name implies, kennel cough is often transmitted in kennels, shelters, or boarding facilities.
Before taking in animals, most kennels require dogs to be up to date on their vaccines, which includes vaccines to prevent kennel cough. They can still transmit the infection to other dogs. Most dogs recover from kennel cough in about 3 to 6 weeks. Humans who contract kennel cough may experience :. Vaccines are also available to protect dogs against some of the main pathogens responsible for kennel cough, including distemper, parainfluenza, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
Kennel cough, scientifically known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is easily spread from dog to dog through aerosol droplets, direct contact, or contact with contaminated surfaces like food and water bowls , toys, or kennel runs — a bit like how the common cold is spread in child daycare. Your dog is most likely to pick it up in an area where lots of dogs congregate, but they can also pick it up from any contaminated environment, and you can bring it home to him if you spend a lot of time around dogs at work or during volunteer opportunities.
DO NOT WORRY, Kennel Cough itself is not fatal but in rare cases, the virus could lead to bronchopneumonia in puppies and chronic bronchitis in senior or immunocompromised dogs, so it is very important to get your dog checked if they have any of these symptoms:. Bordetella is the vaccine your dog will receive when they get their first puppy shots to help boost their immunity from the Kennel Cough virus.
0コメント