how long is kennel cough contagious

If your domestic dog has been spending time with other dogs and now has a coughing that sounds like either a goose honking or something is stuck in their throat, then it's possible that they may have kennel cough. So what is kennel cough, how do dogs take hold of information technology, is it dangerous and what should you practise if you recall your dog is affected?

A summary of kennel cough

Kennel cough is a type of infection that usually causes a persistent hacking cough that can sound like a goose's honk
If you think your dog is affected and so y'all should phone your vet for advice
Kennel cough is not dangerous to most dogs, simply tin exist more than serious to young puppies, older dogs and dogs with underlying wellness conditions
Most healthy dogs recover on their own without whatsoever veterinary handling
Kennel coughing is highly contagious and if your canis familiaris is affected then you should keep them away from other dogs
You can accept your domestic dog vaccinated against the about common cause of kennel cough and this may be required if your dog stays in kennels or spends fourth dimension with lots of dogs from different households (e.g. doggy day-cares)

What is kennel coughing?

Kennel cough is a respiratory infection that can be caused by a number of different viruses and bacteria and is easily spread between dogs. This infection causes a dog'south voice box and windpipe to become inflamed and makes the canis familiaris cough. Kennel cough is not unsafe to most dogs, but is more than severe in young puppies, older dogs and some dogs with underlying wellness weather.

What are the symptoms of kennel cough?

Most affected dogs will develop a persistent hacking coughing that can sound like something is stuck in their throat or like the "honk" of a goose.

Signs of kennel cough tin develop from every bit early as a few days to two weeks afterward being exposed and can last for one to three weeks.

Apart from a cough, most dogs are commonly otherwise fine. Some dogs may also show other signs, including:

Sneezing
A runny nose
Discharge from the eyes
Not wanting to eat
A college temperature
Less energy than usual

How do dogs become kennel cough?

Kennel cough can easily be passed on to other dogs and tin be spread through airborne droplets from coughing, by touching other infected dogs or from touching other items and surfaces that have been contaminated by infected dogs (i.due east. toys or food/water bowls). Dogs are most commonly known for catching these infections during their time in kennels, hence the name 'kennel cough', but they can grab it anywhere there are groups of dogs in close contact (i.e. at doggy 24-hour interval-care, training groups etc.)

How unsafe is kennel cough?

Whatsoever dog tin develop kennel coughing. Nigh dogs will develop a persistent hacking cough but volition remain otherwise healthy. Although it may be uncomfortable or unpleasant for your dog, it is not normally unsafe. However, for immature puppies, older dogs and dogs with underlying health conditions, kennel cough tin be much more serious and it can develop into pneumonia.

What is the incubation catamenia?

Signs of kennel cough tin can develop from as early equally a few days to 2 weeks afterward being exposed and can final for one to 3 weeks. Although it is rare, some dogs can exist carriers of kennel cough for months without whatsoever signs of infection.

What should I do if I recollect my domestic dog has kennel coughing?

If you lot call back your dog has kennel cough then phone call your vet for advice. There are a number of weather that can cause coughing, then information technology's always best to contact your veterinary practice for advice. Kennel coughing is highly contagious, so do non take your canis familiaris to the vets without consulting the practice kickoff. Kennel coughing can lead to pneumonia in some dogs, so if your dog doesn't get better in the fourth dimension y'all expect them to, or their condition worsens, then contact your vet for advice.

If your dog does have kennel cough then you should keep them away from other dogs to preclude spreading the infection further.

How long is kennel cough contagious?

Although it depends on your dog, most dogs recover from kennel cough within three weeks. For some older dogs or dogs with underlying health issues recovery can take upward to half dozen weeks and, very rarely, some dogs tin can be carriers of kennel coughing for months without any signs of infection.

How tin I look after a dog with kennel coughing?

Make sure your domestic dog stays hydrated, well rested and give them plenty of beloved and attention. Practice may make your canis familiaris'due south cough worse, so speak to your vet for the all-time communication on how to look afterward your domestic dog.

Tin can my dog get kennel coughing more than once?

Yeah. Kennel cough tin can exist caused by a number of dissimilar viruses and leaner, so dogs can be infected more than once, depending on when they were last infected and what acquired the infection.

How can I forbid my canis familiaris from getting kennel cough?

Y'all can get your domestic dog vaccinated against the most common leaner to cause kennel coughing. You may wish to get your dog vaccinated if they spend a lot of time with other dogs, such as staying in kennels. Some services for your dog, including day-care or dog walkers, will require this prior to taking on your canis familiaris, so exist sure to bank check this with them. This vaccination tin can't guarantee protection confronting kennel cough, but it does reduce the risk of your dog being affected. Speak to your vet about the vaccine and whether information technology'south right for your dog.

Think your dog may exist affected?

If you're worried almost your dog's health, e'er contact your vet immediately!

We are not a veterinary organisation and then we tin't give veterinary communication, but if y'all're worried about whatever of the bug raised in this article, please contact your local vet practice for further information