Companion Animals

Dog Kennel Cough: Prevention and Welfare

Infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) causes distressing coughing and spreads rapidly in group dog settings; vaccination and biosecurity protect both individual and community welfare.

Key Facts

Kennel cough is caused by multiple pathogens including Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza
It spreads rapidly in kennels, dog parks, groomers, and training classes
Intranasal Bordetella vaccine provides faster immunity than injectable versions
Most cases resolve within 1-3 weeks but severe cases develop pneumonia
Vaccination is required by most boarding facilities but is still voluntary in other settings

Welfare Considerations

Kennel cough causes significant discomfort - the harsh, honking cough is distressing and interferes with sleep and normal activity. Dogs with severe cases develop pneumonia that can be life-threatening in puppies and immunocompromised animals. The rapid spread in group settings means unvaccinated dogs expose many others. Routine vaccination as part of the kennel cough prevention community creates herd protection for vulnerable dogs.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate dogs against kennel cough before any boarding, daycare, or training class exposure
Use the intranasal vaccine for faster protection onset before group exposure
Isolate any dog showing respiratory signs from other dogs immediately
Report kennel cough outbreaks to venues to enable notification of exposed dogs