What Dog Owners Should Expect When it Comes to Kennel Cough Treatment

Kennel cough may seem like a playful name for a simple dog illness, but the reality of kennel cough can be much more serious than its name suggests if the illness progresses. Officially known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), kennel cough often spreads in environments where dogs are in close contact, such as boarding facilities, dog parks, and grooming salons. It’s caused by a combination of bacteria (like Bordetella bronchiseptica) and viruses (such as canine parainfluenza or adenovirus), making it a complex illness that can affect even the healthiest dogs. 

Kennel cough spreads and progresses quickly, making early intervention for kennel cough treatment crucial for not only getting your dog the care it needs but also keeping other dogs in your home and community safe. In this blog, we’ll break down the most commonly used kennel cough treatments and under what circumstances veterinarians will recommend them. 

Kennel Cough Treatment Explained

While understanding what kennel cough is and how it’s contracted and diagnosed is fairly straightforward, treatment can be more complex for pet owners to navigate. There is no single standard treatment for kennel cough. The approach depends on your veterinarian's assessment of your dog's condition, including how sick they are, the symptoms they're showing, and the severity of those symptoms.

Luckily, many dogs have mild cases of kennel cough, and symptoms will likely resolve on their own within 7 to 10 days. However, as with any illness, there are instances of a dog’s condition worsening over time and their kennel cough developing to a moderate or severe case. When these instances of more complicated kennel cough cases arise, it’s important for dog owners to know when to get their veterinarian involved and what to expect in terms of treatment. 

How to Treat Kennel Cough Depending on How Your Dog Is Feeling

Mild Cases (Uncomplicated Kennel Cough)

Mild cases make up the majority of kennel cough illnesses, and many symptoms can be addressed by dog owners at home. These mild cases typically involve a persistent, dry, hacking cough but no other severe symptoms like fever or lethargy. Despite being sick with kennel cough, your dog may maintain its typical energy levels and appetite.

Here are a few things you can try to support your dog while they recover from a mild case of kennel cough:

• Supportive Care: Ensure the dog stays hydrated and comfortable. Use a humidifier or take the dog into a steamy bathroom to soothe irritated airways, and avoid using collars or leashes that may place unnecessary pressure on their neck and throat to avoid irritation. 
• Cough Suppressants: Medications like dextromethorphan or hydrocodone may be prescribed to reduce coughing and allow the dog to rest. Avoid using any human medications or cough syrups, as they can be harmful to dogs. Always check with your vet before giving your dog a new medication, like a cough suppressant. 
• Soothing the throat with honey: Honey can help alleviate kennel cough symptoms by soothing a dog’s throat and reducing irritation. If your veterinarian approves, you can give your dog a small amount of honey—typically 1 teaspoon for small dogs and up to 1 tablespoon for larger dogs—two to three times a day. Use raw, unpasteurized honey for the best results, and avoid giving honey to dogs with diabetes or puppies under 1 year of age. Always consult your veterinarian before using honey as a remedy.
• Rest: Just like with most human illnesses, rest is one of the best options for a speedy recovery. Limit your dog’s exercise and overall excitement, which can exacerbate coughing.
• Monitoring: Keep a close eye on any dog with kennel cough, even if they appear to be acting normal. Observe them regularly for any worsening symptoms, such as decreased appetite, lethargy, or nasal discharge, as this can indicate that their infection is progressing. 

Moderate Cases

Moderate cases of kennel cough involve more pronounced symptoms, such as a worsening cough, mild fever, decreased appetite, or mild lethargy. When illness moves beyond a mild case of kennel cough, it’s time to get your veterinarian involved if you haven’t already. 

Common kennel cough treatment options at this stage include:

• Antibiotics: If a secondary bacterial infection is suspected (e.g., Bordetella bronchiseptica), antibiotics like doxycycline or amoxicillin-clavulanate may be prescribed. Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions for antibiotic use carefully to avoid instances of antibiotic resistance. 
• Anti-inflammatory Medications: Mild corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help reduce inflammation in the airways. Again, only use medications prescribed and approved by your veterinarian to avoid any unwanted reactions or further health complications. 
• Cough Suppressants: Like in mild cases, cough suppressants can give a dog some much needed relief for the coughing cycle associated with kennel cough. 
• Nebulization or Inhalation Therapy: Delivery of saline or antibiotic solutions via a nebulizer can help clear mucus and reduce infection in the airways.

Severe Cases (Complicated Kennel Cough)

In severe cases, kennel cough can progress beyond a mild respiratory infection, leading to more serious complications such as pneumonia. This typically occurs when the illness goes untreated or when a dog’s immune system is already weakened, making it harder for them to fight off the infection. Pneumonia caused by kennel cough can result in symptoms like fever, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and a worsening cough. Additionally, severe cases may predispose dogs to secondary bacterial infections or other respiratory illnesses, requiring immediate veterinary care to prevent life-threatening and long term complications. 

At this stage, veterinarian involvement is non-negotiable!

Kennel cough treatment, guided by a licensed veterinarian, may include:

• Hospitalization: Severe cases may require inpatient care, especially if oxygen supplementation or intravenous fluids are needed. The length of your dog’s stay in a veterinary hospital will be determined by their condition when they are admitted, as well as the progression or resolution of their symptoms over time. 
• Aggressive Antibiotic Therapy: For advanced and severe cases of kennel cough more aggressive courses of antibiotics may be recommended by your veterinarian. In these cases, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be administered, often via injection, to combat severe bacterial infections.
• Bronchodilators: These medications are used to help open the airways and improve breathing, which can be especially useful in cases that have progressed to pneumonia. 
• Nebulization with Medications: Similar to moderate cases, medications like acetylcysteine (a mucolytic) or antibiotic solutions may be delivered via nebulization to help a dog recover.
• Supportive Therapies: Veterinarians may also recommend a number of other supportive therapies to help a dog heal and overcome the infection. These commonly include:
  • Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Oxygen therapy for dogs showing signs of hypoxia or respiratory distress.

Prevention Is the Best Kennel Cough Treatment

Kennel cough is certainly an illness that no pet owner wants their dog to contract, especially with its unpleasant – and potentially life-threatening – complications. Luckily for pet owners, there’s an effective preventive measure that’s easy to access: vaccination.

There are two main types of kennel cough vaccines:

• Intranasal Vaccine: Delivered as drops into your dog’s nose, this method is the most common. It’s typically quick and stress-free for both you and your pet.
• Injectable Vaccine: Administered as a subcutaneous injection, much like a rabies vaccine.

Both options provide protection against the most prevalent strains of kennel cough. Your veterinarian will determine the most suitable choice based on your dog’s age, health, and lifestyle. 

It’s important to note that no vaccine is completely foolproof. Vaccinated dogs may still develop a mild case of kennel cough or carry the bacteria without showing symptoms. However, vaccination greatly reduces the severity and duration of the illness and helps lower the chances of spreading it to other dogs. In fact, studies have shown that the kennel cough vaccine can reduce the incidence of coughing by around 20% compared to a placebo.

Other essential prevention strategies for kennel cough include choosing reputable boarding and grooming facilities where the illness can rapidly spread, avoiding any communal or social areas for dogs during an outbreak, and keeping your dog away from any other dogs who have recently been ill. 

If you're noticing any kennel cough symptoms in your dog, especially if they are unvaccinated, get in touch with your veterinarian to ensure your dog receives the appropriate kennel cough treatment based on their specific condition.

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