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Dogs With Kennel Cough
Did you buy your dog from an overcrowded pet store? Or did you just simply take your dog out for a walk at the dog park?
If so, then more than likely your dog is not only bringing with him a new and wonderful adventure, he or she also bringing home a medical condition called "kennel cough".
Dogs with kennel cough will generally display intense periods of non-stop coughing coupled with gagging and choking and possibly end with a bout of vomiting.
Although your dog may apear to be in serious trouble with this type of behavior, the gagging and choking is simply a way for your dog to try and clear his or her passageway.
Dogs with kennel cough are not usually "medically challenged", nor does it affect energy levels and may still seem to be very energetic and quite alert even after going through a full blown kennel cough attack.
Understanding Dogs With Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is a respiratory condition very similiar to what we humans know as the "common cold". It is a combination of virues and bacteria that affect the bronchial area of the body that produces a rough and dry tracheal cough.
It is normally contracted when dogs are kept together for extended periods of time with other dogs in confined spaces, such as kennels in pet stores, hence the name "kennel cough".
Prevention and Treatment
Setting up a proper examine by your veterinarian is the first thing you need to do if you suspect your dog has contracted kennel cough. Your vet will be able to properly diagnosis the symptoms and provide some possible treatments.
Depending on the seriousness of the infection, cough suppressants or possibly antibiotics maybe prescribed. Some dogs with kennel cough may have contracted a more deeper health issue such as pneumonia. Pneumonia is present when bacteria infiltrates air sacs leading to a serious medical condition.
Intranasal vaccines are a great preventive treatment. Although most dogs don't like anything that is sprayed in their nose, it has been proven to be one of the most effective ways of providing a strong immunity to dogs with kennel cough.