Kennel Cough

Bordetella (commonly known as kennel cough) is an infectious disease often seen in veterinary clinics. It mainly affects dogs. It is most common in closed environments where there are many dogs. Examples include dog parks, grooming centers, boarding kennels, etc. This disease is highly contagious but not dangerous.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough

It is transmitted by air, nasal and oral secretions. The main symptoms are:
• Dry cough leading to vomiting, with or without mucus
• Runny nose and eyes
• Fever

Treatments

Generally speaking, it's a self-limiting disease that often resolves on its own. However, it's important to keep an eye on your pet. If your pet becomes lethargic and shows a decrease in appetite, a veterinary examination is strongly advised. If you have any concerns about this infection, your veterinarian and their team are available to answer your questions, either over the phone or in person. They’ll help you decide whether a visit to the clinic is necessary. Remember, they are there to help and reassure you.

To limit the risk of spread, the bordetella vaccine is the best way to combat this disease. Your dog may develop symptoms despite vaccination, but these will be alleviated. As with human flu vaccination, we may still suffer from the flu even though we've received the vaccine, but it will be much less severe than if we weren't vaccinated. What's more, to optimize your pet's immune response, the vaccine should be administered 7 to 10 days before coming into contact with other dogs.

Just as children love to go to daycare, our pets love to have fun with their friends when they go to boarding kennels or the dog park. Since we can't stop the flu, we can reduce the risk of complications by vaccinating our dogs properly.