"Kennel Cough" is a broad term used to describe the cough (symptom) of an upper respiratory infection in dogs. The cause can be viral (including but not limited to Bordetella) or bacterial.

Upper respiratory infections are highly contagious and more likely to occur where dogs gather, interact and play - such as daycare, dog parks or dog-friendly social events. It is an (albeit minor and temporary) unavoidable risk of socialization such as canine warts or giardia.

Despite our facilities best efforts to sanitize, there's no way to stop puppies from putting things in their mouth - including other puppies! Nose to nose contact is the fastest way to spread an upper respiratory disease. Younger dogs are still developing their immune systems so there's a higher likelihood they react to the virus. Similarly, young kids in school or daycare are often sick as they challenge their immune systems in the social setting.

Kennel cough has a 2-14 day incubation period (carry virus without symptoms). This means your dog was likely infected before anyone saw symptoms.

If you notice symptoms of kennel cough, please let us know as soon as possible!

Symptoms of Kennel Cough:

• Dry hacking cough

• Honking cough

• Retching

• Watery nasal discharge

• Sneezing

• Coughing fits (5-20 coughs in a row)

• Coughing when pulling on collar (or with pressure on their neck)

• Coughing worse when waking up from a nap and at night

• Occasionally lethargy and decreased appetite

• Some dogs can carry the virus without any symptoms

Treatment:

• Quarantine your dog from other dogs outside the family. Household dogs have already been exposed (during the incubation period) but adult dogs' immune systems may take care of the virus without any illness.

• Take your pup into the bathroom while you shower. The steam may help loosen any congestion.

• Make sure they eat and drink.

• Take them to the vet if they are:

  • Not eating for 24 hours

  • Not drinking

  • Lethargic for 24 hours

  • Constantly coughing or keeping you awake all night from coughing

Call your veterinarian if you have any questions about coughing. If symptoms are mild or your dog is still eating, drinking and acting normal, they may tell you to stay home. Just like we do not go to the doctor for every cold, canine cough will likely just run it's course. For more severe symptoms (noted above), your vet may prescribe supportive care like a cough suppressant or antibiotics after a physical examination.

How we slow the spread:

• Notification: We rely on owners to notify us when their dogs are showing symptoms. When we become aware, we will notify dogs who have been in contact with that coughing dog along with dogs coming over the next 7 days. Honesty and transparency allows owners to make the best decision for their dogs.

• Cleaning: Kennels are cleaned after each dog and dog areas sanitized nightly with hospital grade disinfectants.

• Open air exchange decreases the likelihood of spread through the air in nap spaces.

In conclusion, kennel cough is highly contagious but usually self-limiting. Time and rest are the best prescriptions. Call your vet if you are concerned about symptoms and they will determine whether your pup needs to be seen or can ride it out at home.

If your pup has symptoms, notify us immediately and keep your pup home until they have been symptom-free for 7 days. 

For more information on kennel cough, the experts at Whole Dog Journals have a nice article detailing the medical side of kennel cough.