Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection complex that spreads rapidly in shelter environments, causing welfare impacts for dogs and operational challenges for facilities.
Dogs with kennel cough experience persistent hacking cough, retching, and nasal discharge that disturbs their rest and makes normal activities uncomfortable. In shelter environments where dogs are already stressed by confinement and social disruption, kennel cough outbreaks compound their suffering. Sick dogs may be isolated from social contact at a time when human interaction is most important to their wellbeing. Prevention through vaccination and shelter design that limits droplet transmission is essential.