Kennel Cough in Dogs: Signs, Treatment and Prevention

At a glance

What it is	A contagious infection of the windpipe and airways, caused by one or more viruses and bacteria
Who's at risk	Any dog that mixes with other dogs; puppies, older dogs, flat-faced breeds and dogs with heart or lung problems are more vulnerable
Main signs	A harsh, honking cough, sometimes with retching or gagging; mild sneezing or a runny nose
Contagious?	Yes, very — it spreads easily between dogs through the air and on shared bowls and toys
Can it be prevented?	Vaccination reduces the risk and severity; ask your vet which options suit your dog

What it is

"Kennel cough" is an everyday name for a group of infections that inflame a dog's windpipe (trachea) and the larger airways. Vets sometimes call it infectious tracheobronchitis or canine infectious respiratory disease. It is not caused by a single germ. Several viruses and bacteria can be involved, often more than one at the same time, which is part of why it is so common.

The name comes from the fact that it spreads quickly wherever dogs gather closely, such as boarding kennels, rescue centres, daycare, training classes, grooming salons and busy parks. A dog does not need to have stayed in a kennel to catch it. A brief sniff and greeting with an infected dog can be enough.

Infected dogs breathe out tiny droplets when they cough, bark or pant, and these can be breathed in by other dogs nearby. The germs can also survive for a while on shared water bowls, toys, leads and hands. Dogs can sometimes pass the infection on before they show any signs, and for a period after they seem to have recovered.

For most healthy adult dogs, kennel cough is unpleasant but mild, much like a heavy cold is for us. It usually settles on its own over a couple of weeks. The concern is that in some dogs the infection can travel deeper into the lungs and lead to pneumonia, which is far more serious.

Signs to watch for

The classic sign is a cough that sounds harsh, dry and honking — many owners describe it as sounding like a goose, or as if their dog has something stuck in their throat. Other signs can include:

• Coughing fits, often set off by excitement, exercise or pressure from a collar on the throat
• Retching or gagging at the end of a coughing bout, sometimes bringing up a little white foam
• Sneezing
• A clear, watery discharge from the nose or eyes
• A mild drop in energy

Many dogs with kennel cough stay bright, keep eating and still want to play, apart from the coughing. That is a reassuring picture.

Signs that suggest your dog is becoming more unwell include:

• Faster, noisier or more laboured breathing, even at rest
• Losing interest in food
• Being unusually tired, quiet or withdrawn
• Thick, yellow or green discharge from the nose or eyes
• A cough that sounds wet or moist rather than dry
• A high temperature, which may show as shivering or seeking cool places

A cough is not always kennel cough. Heart disease, lungworm, a collapsing windpipe, allergies, something lodged in the throat and other conditions can all cause coughing. Our guide to dog coughing and the symptom checker can help you think through what you are seeing, but only a vet can tell you what is behind it.

When to see a vet

It is sensible to phone your vet whenever your dog develops a new cough, even if they seem otherwise well. Your vet can advise whether they need to see your dog and how to arrive without exposing other patients — many practices will ask you to wait in the car or use a separate entrance.

Contact your vet urgently if your dog:

• Is struggling to breathe, breathing very fast, or breathing with their mouth open while resting
• Has blue, grey or very pale gums or tongue
• Stops eating
• Is lethargic, weak or unusually flat
• Has thick or coloured discharge from the nose or eyes
• Has a cough that is getting worse rather than better, or has not improved after a week or so

Be especially quick to seek advice for puppies, older dogs, pregnant dogs, flat-faced breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs, and dogs with existing heart, lung or immune problems. These dogs are more likely to develop complications.

How vets diagnose it

In most cases, vets diagnose kennel cough from your dog's history and a physical examination. They will ask whether your dog has recently been in contact with other dogs, how long the cough has been going on, and whether anything else has changed, such as appetite or energy.

During the examination, your vet will listen to your dog's chest and heart, check their temperature and look at their throat, nose and eyes. Gently pressing on the windpipe often sets off the typical cough.

If your dog is more unwell, or the cough is not behaving as expected, your vet may suggest further tests. These might include chest X-rays to look for pneumonia or other lung changes, blood tests, or swabs to identify which germs are involved. Tests also help rule out other causes of coughing.

Treatment and management

Because kennel cough is usually mild and tends to clear by itself, treatment often focuses on rest and comfort while your dog's immune system does its work. Your vet will decide what is right for your dog. Depending on how unwell they are, this might include:

• Rest and time. Many dogs need nothing more than a quiet couple of weeks.
• Medicines to ease symptoms. Some dogs benefit from medicine to reduce inflammation or soothe the cough, but only ever give what your vet has prescribed. Human cough remedies can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs.
• Antibiotics, in some cases — for example if your vet suspects a bacterial infection or pneumonia. Antibiotics do not help every case, as many causes are viral.
• Hospital care for the small number of dogs who develop pneumonia or breathing difficulty, where they may need oxygen, fluids and close monitoring.

At home, you can help your dog feel more comfortable:

• Swap a collar for a well-fitting harness, so there is no pressure on the throat.
• Keep walks short, gentle and on the lead, and avoid exciting play that triggers coughing fits.
• Keep your dog away from smoke, dust, strong sprays and air fresheners, which can irritate sore airways.
• Some owners find that time in a steamy bathroom helps loosen the chest; ask your vet whether this suits your dog.
• Make sure fresh water is always available, and offer tasty, soft food if their throat seems sore.

Keep an eye on breathing, appetite and energy each day. If anything gets worse, call your vet.

Prevention

Vaccination is the main way to reduce the risk of kennel cough. Vaccines are available against some of the most common causes, and some are given as drops up the nose rather than as an injection. They do not cover every possible germ, so a vaccinated dog can still catch kennel cough, but signs are usually milder. Your vet can talk you through the options, and boarding kennels and daycare often ask for it. Don't rely on a fixed timetable you have read about — ask your vet when and how often your dog should be vaccinated.

Keep a coughing dog away from other dogs. If your dog has kennel cough, avoid parks, classes, daycare, grooming and boarding until your vet says they are no longer likely to be infectious. This can be for some time after the cough stops. Let anyone your dog has recently met know, so they can watch their own dogs.

Good everyday habits also help:

• Use your own water bowl on walks rather than shared communal bowls.
• Wash bowls, toys and bedding regularly, especially after your dog has been unwell.
• Wash your hands after handling other people's dogs.
• Choose kennels and daycare settings that are clean, well ventilated and ask about vaccination.

Recovery and aftercare

Most dogs start to improve within a week or so and are back to normal within a few weeks, although a mild cough can linger for a little while after the worst has passed. Ease back into normal exercise gradually and keep using a harness until the cough has fully settled.

If the cough returns, changes in sound, or lasts much longer than expected, go back to your vet. A cough that will not clear can sometimes have another cause that is worth looking into. With rest, patience and a watchful eye, the large majority of dogs make a full recovery.