Kennel cough how much to treat

Generally, the cost for kennel cough treatment is related to the examination and medications prescribed. These include vaccinations against parainfluenza virus, distemper virus for dogs , feline distemper , adenovirus type 2, influenza virus, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Vaccination against most of these bacteria and viruses will not completely prevent infection, but it will help decrease the severity of the symptoms if a pet does become infected.

Avoiding overcrowded environments can also decrease the risk of infection. If one pet is showing symptoms of kennel cough but others in the household are not, isolate the infected pet from the others. This may be necessary for a long period of time - infected animals may be contagious for weeks.

Ensure the area that the infected pet is housed in is well ventilated, and disinfect their bedding and food and water bowls regularly with bleach. Make sure the other pets are up to date on their vaccines. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat, 4th ed. Elsevier, St. Louis pp. Pacific Veterinary Conference ACVIM Can Vet J Vol 57 1 pp.

Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference J Clin Microbiol Vol 51 12 pp. Erles K, Brownlie J: Canine respiratory coronavirus: an emerging pathogen in the canine infectious respiratory disease compl. Playing or just breathing the same air as an infected animal can result in your furry friend developing the condition.

Places where a number of dogs are circulating or kept need to take extra precautionary measures to prevent the transmission. Such facilities include:. Contact with contaminated people or objects.

Bacteria can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours, ready to be transmitted to another host. The disease can also be transmitted through objects like sticks or toys, beds, as well as food and water dishes.

Through the air. When an infected pup barks, sneezes, or coughs, they release microscopic particles of the virus into the air the same way a person with a cold or flu could cough or sneeze and pass their infection to the people around them. These contaminants viruses and bacteria can remain in the air and live for longer periods of time, sometimes even for weeks.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterial cause of this disease. When this bacterium is acting alone, symptoms can last up to 10 days. However, it can also work together with the parainfluenza virus, in which case symptoms may last up to three weeks. This bacteria can be shed from an infected dog up to 14 weeks after symptoms have resolved. Parainfluenza virus , on the other hand, is the most common viral cause of kennel cough in dogs.

When acting alone, symptoms may last days or less. If your dog is showing any of the above-listed symptoms and has recently been in contact with other pups, be sure to make an appointment with a veterinarian for a check-up. The veterinarian will take a history of your pet and ask if it has been in contact with other dogs, how long it has had symptoms, as well as how severe these symptoms are.

They will also perform a physical examination which involves listening to the lungs and evaluating the coughing. Bacterial culture and viral isolation are also available in order to determine what exactly is causing them to be sick. However, such tests are usually conducted upon request by the pet parent since the symptoms are indicative of the condition.

In some cases, lab work and X-rays are needed in order to determine how sick your dog is specifically to see if the disease has resulted in pneumonia. But it won't cover pre-existing conditions, so it's best to enroll sooner rather than later.

If your four-legged companion is diagnosed with kennel cough, the treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms. Medications As we mentioned before, kennel cough is often self-limiting, which means that it may go away on its own.

However, if you suspect that your pet has the disease, a veterinarian should determine what is the best treatment protocol for your dog. At-Home Care Pups with kennel cough need to be isolated for at least 14 days, or even longer in case of a more severe infection from other dogs. If you're worried about your dog, take them to see the vet. The vet may be able to prescribe antibiotics for kennel cough to target the Bordetella bacteria.

Protection against some of the viruses that can cause kennel cough is included in puppy and booster vaccinations. These viruses include canine influenza, canine distemper, canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus type two.

Your vet can also provide a vaccination against the main bacterial cause, Bordetella — this can be a nasal spray or an injection. Many boarding kennels and doggy day-cares require dogs to have the vaccination before their stay. However, because kennel cough has a wide range of causes and strains, this vaccine cannot guarantee protection for your dog. Yes, dogs can get kennel cough more than once as there are a variety of strains.

Kennel cough is a type of respiratory infection rather than a specific disease and so it has a range of possible causes. Most of the canine viruses cannot be transmitted to humans. However, the main bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica can infect humans, though this is very rare and only a risk factor for people with weakened immune systems.

There is also very little evidence that humans can contract the bacteria from animals. With the outbreak of Coronavirus many owners wonder how to best take care of their dog during this uncertain time. We've answered the most frequently asked questions about Coronavirus and pets here.

We believe people and pets are 'Better Together'. Our programme promises to support you through every stage of your journey. Next article. Can Dogs Get Colds or Flu? Dog Respiratory Advice. Related topics. Our experts are here to help. Get in touch with us directly any time, any way.

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