Tired and annoying canine infectious tracheobronchitis, more famous as kennel cough, can be easily diagnosed and treated with simple attention.
Certainly not dangerous, yet for your dear hunting companion this disease, scientifically called Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis, is particularly annoying and in the heaviest cases, debilitating. The disease affects only the canine species and is caused by a particularly contagious virus or, in other cases, by a bacterium. The name with which it is most commonly recognized, kennel cough, tells us a lot about the places of its greatest propagation. We are talking about kennels, or all the places where the animal density is high and where the disease can spread more quickly and simply by contagion.
Boarding houses, shelters, areas dedicated exclusively to dogs are places with a high risk of contagion, especially if your dog is old or debilitated by some previous physical stress. It also seems that the disease takes root well in very young dogs, while less frequently it endangers the health of adult and strong dogs.
The disease causes a widespread infection at the height of the trachea which in severe cases can extend to the bronchi and cause very strong coughing attacks, very similar to those that occur when the animal has a clogged throat with something.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms that must be a wake-up call for every attentive owner are easily recognizable:
• conjunctivitis, rhinitis and frequent sneezing;
• strong and sudden coughing that occurs mainly during physical activity and during moments of effort;
• white and yellowish viscous sputum;
• vomiting, especially after meals, caused by severe coughing fits;
• loss of appetite;
• general debilitation of the dog;
Once the aforementioned symptoms have been recognized, the animal must be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible, who will be able to diagnose the disease and any complications in a precise and professional manner. In some cases it is necessary, to rule out the onset of complications such as pneumonia, to take a chest X-ray, or to perform routine blood tests. A stool examination is also often required and if the disease has caused greater problems such as conjunctivitis, a specific veterinarian will carry out a careful examination of the cornea.
Healing
In milder cases, Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis will disappear as it came, without the need to do anything. After all, it is to be assimilated to a human influence which, in order to heal, requires patience and rest from the patient. Spontaneous resolution is what everyone obviously hopes for, but in the event that the disease has degenerated, some more incisive treatments will be needed.
The veterinarian in that case can recommend the use of drugs such as:
• cough suppressants by injection or taking pills;
• antibiotics and anti-inflammatories;
Normally the treatments to be effective will have to last at least 15 days after which the dog will have fully regained its strength.
Attention and prevention
Remember that the sick dog will have to:
• limit your physical activity and enjoy a well-deserved rest;
• ingest a sufficient quantity of liquids and soft food if the sore throat does not allow him to ingest more;
• not be subjected to environmental stress such as dust, tobacco smoke, etc;
• if your dog wears a collar, loosen it or remove it temporarily.
Is it possible to prevent the disease? Surely. There are excellent vaccinations that guarantee a wide protection which, however, it should be emphasized, is never 100% valid.