1. Kennel Cough - Infectious Tracheobronchitis in the dog

Dry harsh cough. Bacteria is uaually Bordetella bronchiseptica. Found in the upper airways, hroat and nose. Produces kennel cough when the animal is stressed or combined with other infectious agents like canine adenovirus, parainfluenza virus or mycoplasma.

Animal to animal by direct contact or coughed aerosols. Incubation time is 2-8 days. Usually resolves within 2 weeks with or without treatment. Some dogs may have a runny nose.

Recovered dogs shed organism for 3-4 months. Bronchopneumonia with other bacteria in a few highly susceptible dogs. Death.

DIAGNOSIS
Early distemper, allergies, collapsing trachea of toy breeds, migration of hookworms and roundworms through the lungs. Exclude above by its occurrence shortly after exposure to other dogs. Throat swabs not useful. X-rays of lungs may show mild signs of pulmonary damage, hyperinflation, collapse of lung damage, hyperinflation, collapse of lung air spaces (atelectasis) and consolidation of lung lobes.

TREATMENT
Most resolve over 2 weeks without treatment. Stressed and young puppiies may get pneumonia without treatment.

Warmth, low stress, good nutrition and antibioitcs.

PREVENTION
2 VACCINES. Injectable and intranasal (most effective, local immunity in the respiratory tract. Transient cough 3-4 days after vaccination or some sneezing or nasal discharge.

WHEN TO VACCINATE. Intra-nasally as early as 2 weeks of age. Immunity lasts 10-12 months. Boosted annually. Not for pregnant dogs or dogs on antibiotic treatment. Takes 4 days for i/n to generate a solid immunity to the disease. Faster immunity if i/n. S/C when dog bites.

4 months of age (2 doses) and annually thereafter.

Neither vaccine effective if dogs already incubate the disease or exposed to organisms before immunity can be stimulated (4-8 days).

The standard DHLPP vaccine (adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza and canine distemper) protects dog against these viruses.

Ronald S Hines DVM PhD