Kennel Cough in Dogs: Managing Infectious Tracheobronchitis

Kennel cough (infectious canine tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection causing a characteristic honking cough. Most cases resolve without treatment, but severe cases cause significant welfare compromise and require veterinary intervention.

Key Facts

Kennel cough is caused by a complex of infectious agents including Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus type 2, and Mycoplasma species.
The characteristic sign is a harsh, honking cough that dogs may perform dozens of times per hour — often triggered by excitement, pulling on the lead, or drinking.
Most otherwise healthy dogs recover within 1-3 weeks without specific treatment; severe cases with pneumonia require antibiotic therapy and supportive care.
Transmission occurs through aerosolised droplets, direct nose-to-nose contact, and contaminated surfaces — highly efficient in places where dogs congregate.
Risk environments include kennels, dog shows, dog parks, and veterinary waiting rooms; hence the common name despite occurring outside kennels.
Intranasal and oral Bordetella vaccines provide protection against the bacterial component within 72 hours — useful when kennel boarding is planned.
Dogs with brachycephalic syndrome (flat-faced breeds) are at higher risk of developing lower respiratory tract complications from kennel cough.
Secondary bacterial pneumonia is the most serious complication; affected dogs show fever, productive cough, lethargy, and reduced appetite.

Welfare Considerations

While kennel cough is self-limiting in most healthy dogs, the experience of coughing dozens of times per hour is genuinely unpleasant. The persistent cough disrupts sleep, causes sore throat tissues, and in severe cases leads to retching and gagging. Dogs with frequent coughing spasms show discomfort and may resist eating or drinking due to the coughing triggered by these activities. Cough suppressants (butorphanol, hydrocodone) can significantly reduce coughing frequency and improve welfare in dogs with distressing cough frequency. Brachycephalic dogs require closer monitoring given their compromised airways. Dogs suspected of having kennel cough should be isolated from other dogs immediately to prevent spread while receiving supportive care to maintain comfort during recovery.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate your dog against kennel cough (Bordetella) if they regularly attend kennels, dog shows, or dog parks — intranasal vaccine works within 72 hours.
Isolate any dog with a persistent honking cough from other dogs immediately — kennel cough spreads rapidly through dog-to-dog contact.
Seek veterinary attention if your dog has a cough accompanied by fever, lethargy, or changes in breathing — these signs may indicate pneumonia.
Use a harness rather than a collar during kennel cough recovery — collar pressure triggers coughing and causes discomfort.
Provide a comfortable, calm environment during recovery; excitement and exercise trigger coughing and slow recovery.