Is Kennel Cough Contagious?

If your dog has a hacking dry cough that seems to go on and on, there is a possibility it is Kennel Cough…

The term “kennel cough” came about because this disease spread rapidly in confined areas such as boarding kennels. However, this disease is not restricted only to kennels. Dogs can pick up the disease anywhere that dogs congregate such as parks, pet stores, groomers, and street corners as well as from dog-to-dog contact.

Transmission occurs through the air when an infected dog sneezes or coughs, or from contaminated surfaces and direct contact.  Source: Dr. Bernhard Pukay, an Ottawa veterinarian who was host of the television program Pet Connection, which was aired on CTV Network.

“Symptoms can include a harsh, dry hacking/coughing, retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging or vomiting in response to light pressing of the trachea or after excitement or exercise. The presence of a fever varies from case to case. The disease can last initially from 10-20 days and can re-break when the dog is put into a stressful situation which puts stress on the dog’s immune system. Diagnosis is made by seeing these symptoms, having a history of exposure is also helpful but not always found as kennel cough is easily spread through contact with contaminated surfaces such as the ground, toys, sidewalks, dog parks.” - Wikipedia

For more information about caring for your pet dog, see these pet care articles by Dr. Shawn at MillionDollarPetPix.com