Infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) causes a distinctive harsh cough in dogs and, while usually mild, can cause significant discomfort and occasional severe illness in vulnerable dogs.
While kennel cough is often described as mild, affected dogs can experience significant welfare impacts. The persistent harsh cough is clearly uncomfortable, disrupts sleep, and may cause retching or vomiting. Dogs with severe disease develop pneumonia and can become seriously ill. The prolonged nature of the cough - lasting weeks even in uncomplicated cases - means sustained discomfort. In dogs with underlying respiratory conditions, kennel cough can trigger serious exacerbations. Vaccination reduces disease severity and duration, providing a meaningful welfare benefit particularly for dogs with high social contact.