Understanding Kennel Cough: What You Need to Know This Summer
A Helpful Guide from Your Low-Cost Veterinary Surgery Clinic
If you’re planning a summer trip and thinking about boarding your dog or using daycare, there’s one important health concern to have on your radar: kennel cough. This common condition spreads quickly in environments where dogs are around each other, but the good news is it’s usually treatable and often preventable.
We’re here to break it down so you can feel confident keeping your pup healthy this season.
What Is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough, also called canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is an upper respiratory infection that spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or nose-to-nose contact. It’s often caused by a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica, and is especially common in places where many dogs gather, like boarding kennels, dog parks, grooming salons, and daycare facilities.
You can think of kennel cough as a dog version of the common cold. While most cases are mild, some dogs may feel pretty uncomfortable without treatment.
Common Signs of Kennel Cough
Here are the symptoms to watch for. If you notice any of these, it’s a good idea to get your dog checked out:
- Vomiting after coughing
- Green or yellow nasal or eye discharge
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness or low energy (lethargy)
- Ongoing coughing, gagging, or sneezing
If your dog is having difficulty breathing, stops eating or drinking, or seems extremely weak, that’s a possible emergency. Please seek veterinary care right away.
How It’s Diagnosed
Kennel cough is usually diagnosed with a physical exam and by listening to your dog’s lungs and airways (called an auscultation) with a stethoscope. Your vet will also ask about recent visits to places like parks, daycares, or groomers – exposure to other dogs is a big clue.
Depending on what your vet finds, they may also recommend:
- Chest X-rays to rule out pneumonia
- Bloodwork to check the immune system or rule out other issues
- PCR testing (using nasal or throat swabs) to help find the cause if symptoms aren’t improving
Because lab results can take time, your vet will likely start treatment right away if kennel cough is suspected.
Treatment Options (and What It Might Cost)
For mild cases, many dogs recover with rest, cough medicine, and sometimes an anti-inflammatory to soothe the throat. If your dog has a bacterial infection, your vet may also prescribe antibiotics such as:
- Azithromycin
- Doxycycline
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox)
If your dog has trouble taking pills, there’s a long-acting injectable antibiotic called Convenia, which can be a great alternative.
Most dogs feel better in 10 to 14 days, and medication is continued for a few days after symptoms resolve. If things aren’t improving, your vet may suggest a recheck appointment and more testing.
In more serious cases, like those involving puppies, seniors, or dogs with weakened immune systems, hospital care may be needed. This could include nebulization (to help breathing), IV or subcutaneous fluids, nutritional support, oxygen therapy, and stronger antibiotics.
Can It Be Prevented?
Yes, at least in part! There’s a vaccine called Bordetella that protects against the most common cause of kennel cough. While it doesn’t prevent every case, it definitely helps lower the risk and reduce the severity of illness if your dog does get sick.
Some dogs may need the vaccine every 6 months, especially if they go to the park, daycare, or boarding often. Puppies from pet stores tend to be at higher risk because of transport stress and crowded environments.
If your pet needs the vaccine, let us know, we offer it at an affordable cost and can usually give it during a wellness visit or spay/neuter appointment.
Is Kennel Cough Dangerous?
Most healthy dogs recover without serious complications. That said, kennel cough can cause trouble in certain pets—especially very young, very old, or immunocompromised dogs. In some rare cases, it may develop into pneumonia or cause low blood sugar, which can be more serious.
Occasionally, kennel cough leads to chronic bronchitis, where the cough lingers long after the infection is gone. This can be managed, but it may require ongoing care to keep your dog comfortable.
What Else Could It Be?
Coughing in dogs can have many different causes, which is why a proper diagnosis is important. Other possible causes include:
- Pneumonia, distemper, or valley fever
- Canine influenza, adenovirus, or parainfluenza
- Allergies, heartworm disease, or collapsing trachea
- Foreign material in the airway
- Heart failure or aspiration from megaesophagus
- Smoke, smog, or other irritants
That’s why it’s a good idea to keep your pet current on core vaccines like DAPPV (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus). If your pet doesn’t respond to treatment, your vet may need to explore other causes.
Can Humans Catch It?
No, kennel cough doesn’t spread to humans. It’s not a zoonotic disease. But it is very contagious to other dogs, so you’ll want to keep your pet home and away from others until they’re fully recovered.
If you have multiple dogs, watch your other pets closely. If symptoms show up in another dog, give us a call, we’re happy to check them out.
And don’t worry, cats and exotic pets are not at risk.
Final Thoughts from Our Clinic
Before sending your dog to daycare or boarding this summer, make sure they’re protected. The Bordetella vaccine is a simple and affordable way to help prevent kennel cough. If you’re not sure whether your pet is up to date, just ask—we’ll help you check their records and get what they need.
And remember, we’re here for you. If you have questions, notice symptoms, or just want to talk through care options, reach out anytime. We’re proud to provide affordable, compassionate care to the pets in our community.
Dr. Shayla Fleming, DVM
Dr. Shayla Fleming is from Phoenix, Arizona and has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a kid. She grew up with dogs, birds, reptiles, and fish! She graduated from Aurora University in Illinois with dual bachelor degrees in Biology and health science. She moved back to Arizona to attend Midwestern University for Veterinary School and enjoys being in the sun again. She has a dog named Jack, a bird named Flynn, and a tortoise named Ralph. In her free time she enjoys hiking, going to the lake, and reading.
