Understanding Kennel Cough: What Dog Owners Should Know – From an Emergency Veterinary Perspective
At our emergency hospital, we often see worried pet parents whose dogs are coughing, gagging, or struggling to breathe, especially during peak boarding and travel seasons. One common cause behind these urgent visits is kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness in dogs. While many cases are mild, some progress quickly and require immediate care. Here’s what you need to know to protect your dog and recognize when it’s time to seek veterinary attention.
What Is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough, medically known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is a contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract. It spreads quickly in environments where dogs are in close proximity, such as boarding kennels, grooming facilities, dog parks, and daycare centers. The infection is most commonly caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium transmitted through respiratory secretions like coughing, sneezing, or direct nose-to-nose contact with other dogs.
This illness is often described as the “common cold” in dogs, but while many cases are uncomplicated, others can rapidly progress – especially in vulnerable pets.
Signs Your Dog May Have Kennel Cough
If your dog begins showing any of the following symptoms, it’s time to contact your veterinarian:
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting related to frequent coughing
- Persistent coughing, sneezing, or gagging
- Eye or nasal discharge that appears yellow or green
- Lethargy (sleepy, withdrawn, or less active than usual)
If your dog shows severe lethargy, labored breathing, or stops eating or drinking, these are potential emergency indicators. Such symptoms require immediate evaluation by a veterinarian, especially at an emergency or urgent care facility.
Diagnosis: What to Expect
Kennel cough is most often diagnosed with a thorough physical exam, during which your veterinarian will listen to your dog’s lungs and airways using a stethoscope (auscultation) and evaluate their overall health. Exposure history, such as recent visits to daycare or boarding, provides important context.
If symptoms are more severe or not resolving, additional diagnostics may be needed, such as:
- Chest X-rays to check for pneumonia or other complications
- Bloodwork to assess immune system activity and rule out other infections
- PCR testing using nasal or throat swabs to identify specific pathogens (used in persistent or complicated cases)
It’s important to understand that while PCR testing is useful, it may take several days for results. Initiating treatment promptly is critical, especially if your dog is showing discomfort or respiratory distress.
Treatment Plans & When to Escalate Care
For mild cases, treatment may include cough suppressants, anti-inflammatory medications, and strict rest and isolation to prevent further spread. If bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed, antibiotics may be prescribed, such as:
- Doxycycline
- Azithromycin
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox)
For dogs that can’t tolerate oral medications, a long-acting injectable antibiotic like Convenia is sometimes administered. Most mild to moderate cases resolve within 10–14 days, though medications are often continued for several days after symptoms subside. If symptoms persist or worsen, a medical progress exam and additional testing are warranted.
In more serious cases, especially involving puppies, senior dogs, immunocompromised pets, or those developing pneumonia, hospitalization may be required. Treatments in an emergency setting could include:
- Oxygen therapy for breathing support
- IV or subcutaneous fluids to prevent dehydration
- Nebulization and bronchodilators to ease airway inflammation
- Nutritional support and IV antibiotics
As an emergency hospital, we routinely treat these more complex cases and early intervention makes a significant difference in outcomes.
Preventing Kennel Cough
While no vaccine prevents all strains of kennel cough, the Bordetella vaccine provides reliable protection against the most common form of the illness. Vaccinated dogs may still contract kennel cough, but their symptoms are typically less severe and shorter in duration.
For dogs frequently exposed to high-risk settings, some veterinarians recommend Bordetella boosters every six months rather than annually. Puppies acquired from pet stores are especially vulnerable due to stressful transportation and overcrowded housing conditions that increase exposure risk.
Is Kennel Cough Life-Threatening?
Most healthy dogs recover without complication, but certain cases can lead to serious outcomes. Secondary bacterial pneumonia, low blood sugar, or chronic inflammation may occur. In some pets, kennel cough can evolve into chronic bronchitis, leaving them with a lasting cough long after the infection clears, requiring extended treatment to manage airway irritation.
We encourage owners to monitor symptoms closely and seek veterinary help at the first sign of escalation.
Don’t Overlook These Other Causes of Coughing
At our emergency facility, we often see cases that initially appear to be kennel cough but are due to other serious conditions. These include:
- Pneumonia, distemper, or valley fever
- Canine influenza, adenovirus, or parainfluenza
- Heartworm disease or congestive heart failure
- Aspiration pneumonia or foreign material in the trachea
- Environmental allergens or inhaled irritants (like smoke or smog)
- Collapsing trachea or megaesophagus-related aspiration
This is why accurate diagnosis is essential. Keep your dog’s DAPPV vaccine (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) current, and if your dog doesn’t improve with treatment, follow up with your vet or emergency provider.
Is Kennel Cough Contagious to People?
No, kennel cough is not zoonotic, which means it cannot be passed to humans. However, it is highly contagious between dogs, and infected pets should be strictly isolated until they’re no longer symptomatic.
If you have other dogs in the home, monitor them carefully. If any show symptoms, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Fortunately, cats and exotic pets are not at risk.
Final Thoughts from Our Emergency Team
If your dog is heading to daycare, boarding, or any pet gathering this summer, speak to your veterinarian about staying current on the Bordetella vaccine. Prevention is a key step in keeping your pet out of the emergency room.
At our hospital, we’re prepared to treat everything from mild respiratory symptoms to complex pneumonia cases. If your dog shows signs of kennel cough and is struggling to breathe, not eating, or simply seems “off,” don’t wait, visit your emergency veterinarian immediately. Acting early can help avoid serious complications and get your pup on the road to recovery.
Dr. Shayla Fleming, DVM
Dr. Shayla Fleming is from Phoenix, Arizona and has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a kid. She grew up with dogs, birds, reptiles, and fish! She graduated from Aurora University in Illinois with dual bachelor degrees in Biology and health science. She moved back to Arizona to attend Midwestern University for Veterinary School and enjoys being in the sun again. She has a dog named Jack, a bird named Flynn, and a tortoise named Ralph. In her free time she enjoys hiking, going to the lake, and reading.
