A dry, honking cough is the most blatant sign of kennel cough. Although playing and running may briefly worsen the cough, your dog will typically remain active. Low temperature, runny nose, lethargy, and loss of appetite could appear if your pet contracts a secondary bacterial infection due to kennel cough—a respiratory condition with significant contagiousness. Where there are a lot of dogs gathered together, kennel cough is frequently contracted by dogs. The condition of feline asthma, which damages the lungs’ tiny airways, has several symptoms, including coughing. In an asthma attack, the airways constrict and swell with mucous, making breathing challenging.
In addition to coughing, asthma causes other noticeable symptoms such as wheezing and quick, shallow mouth breathing. Different clinical symptoms could exist. While the illness is frequently not severe, the cough occasionally persists for a few weeks. Common clinical symptoms include a loud cough, sometimes referred to as a “goose honk,” runny eyes and nose, swollen tonsils, wheezing, loss of appetite, and moodiness. Dogs can easily spread the highly contagious disease known as kennel cough through casual contact, such as smelling each other when out for a walk, playing, or sharing water bowls.
Although viral infections have no specific treatments, many of the more serious symptoms are caused by bacterial involvement. Stress, chilly weather, exposure to dust or smoke, and other elements raise the possibility that your dog will get kennel cough. Even after a normal infection, a dog’s immunity is neither strong nor long-lasting. We shouldn’t hope for significantly better outcomes from immunizations. Consult your veterinarian for particular immunization advice for your pet because immunity varies depending on the situation.
Kennel Cough Home Remedies
- Kennel cough can be treated with cinnamon.
Another excellent food additive for canines is cinnamon. Dogs may use it safely, and studies have shown that doing so can help improve heart issues and bring blood pressure back to normal. Adding a little moisture to the food, adding in some cinnamon, and allowing it to get soft may assist if your dog does not like the scent of cinnamon.
- Coconut oil is effective in treating kennel cough.
Given that the Bordetella virus causes kennel cough, its remarkable antiviral activity is extremely beneficial as a home remedy for the condition. As long as the cough persists, give two teaspoons every day. A spoonful of coconut oil, either alone or combined with food, can be given to dogs with kennel cough (and healthy dogs) daily. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can’t survive in coconut oil.
- Honey may be used to treat your dog’s cold.
Honey is included on the list of natural treatments for kennel cough due to its astounding antibacterial properties, which are the result of active bees’ labor. Try giving your adult dog a teaspoon of raw honey to help with the cough, runny eyes, and nose if they have a mild case of kennel cough. Natural anti-inflammatory honey aids in the body’s defense against bacteria and viruses.
Kennel Cough Is Contagious
It is very easy for dogs to contract kennel cough, which is highly contagious. When dogs cough, germs and viruses are released into the air and can swiftly infect other animals. Sharing dog toys, food bowls, or other communal items can help spread it, as does touching noses. Usually, it takes the dog two weeks to recuperate.
Pneumonia can, however, develop and possibly worsen in severe cases. Nasal discharge, a dry cough, difficulty breathing, and a high temperature are all symptoms. If pneumonia occurs, more aggressive therapy is required. After the infection, the kennel cough-related hacking cough will last for several weeks. It’s unlikely that your dog would grow tired or lose its appetite if they have a kennel cough.
