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Learning More About Kennel Cough
Dog kennel cough is also known as canine cough, infestious tracheobronchitis and bordetellosis. A dog's windpipe and upper bronchi become damaged and irritated as a result of an infectious microorganism. Dog kennel cough has been found to be caused by both a bacteria and/or a virus.
What is Kennel Cough
The lining of the windpipe and bronchi of a dog suffering from dog kennel cough are damaged by a bacterial and/or viral infection, exposing nerve endings which become irritated when air passes over them as the dog breathes in and out. This causes the primary symptom of the illness, a dry, coarse, hacking cough which the dog usually develops within about a week of the initial infection.
How Long Does Kennel Cough Last
The majority of dog kennel cough cases tend to be mild and aren't detrimental to the dog's overall well being. Typically it does not present a fever or cause loss of appetite; however the cough presents itself throughout the day with the dog coughing every few minutes. Most cases will clear within one to three weeks without using medication, though antibiotics can often speed the healing process.
How is the Disease of Kennel Cough Transmitted
Dog kennel cough transmits much like the human cold. The germs that cause kennel cough is carried in the air and inhaled in the air by other dogs. This causes the infection. This is common especially in dogs that are susceptible to the microbes. Even though any dog anywhere can be affected by this disease, it is common when there are multiple dogs infected in a kennel.
Treatment And Prevention
The veterinarian usually prescribes cough-suppressing drugs for the relieving the annoying cough that characterizes the disease. While most of the dogs recover from kennel cough without medication, antibiotics may be prescribed occasionally to assist in recovering from the infection.
A dog that is not frequently in contact with other dogs already has a low chance of catching kennel cough. It is important to have the dog examined by a vet because symptoms similar to kennel cough are also caused by other serious respiratory diseases. In case of vaccination, the dog should be given the vaccine at least a few weeks before taking it to a dog show or out in the company of other dogs. Vaccinating the dog against infectious organisms may prevent dog kennel cough.
Article Source: ArticleZones.com
About the Author
Learn more about puppy health, kennel cough, and much more concerning picking out and training Bichon Frise's and other small dogs.
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