Kennel Cough

Many of us travel during the holidays and take vacations to get away from Philadelphia's cold and damp winter weather. So if you kennel your dog for an extended period of time, it may come home with kennel cough.

Kennel cough usually announces itself by a persistent dry, hacking cough followed by choking, gagging and the occasional production of white foam. The cause can be bacterial (Bordetella bronchiseptica) or viral. Since it is difficult to determine its origin, administration of antibiotics is often part of the treatment. While this is not a life-threatening condition, it certainly sounds that way.

Examination by a veterinarian is necessary to rule out pneumonia or chronic bronchitis. Administration of a cough suppressant by the owner can interfere with the dog's ability to clear material from its lungs if it has pneumonia, and could worsen the condition.

Please check with a veterinarian before you attempt to treat your dog. Pneumonia is a very serious condition for your dog. Chronic bronchitis is relatively rare and not well understood. Kennel cough is thought to be linked to a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction and is not thought to have any connection with bronchitis.

If you plan to kennel your dog, have your veterinarian administer the Bordetella vaccine a week before. This will most likely prevent your friend from getting kennel cough.