Some people have the mistaken belief their dog can only contract kennel cough if they are housed at a kennel among other dogs that might have it. This is mostly because of the name. If you have an older dog that has never been housed in a kennel, he still might contract kennel cough in a number of ways.
How It Affects Older Dogs
Kennel cough is a dry hacking sound. It can be occasional or constant, depending on how severe the infection is. Like any disease, kennel cough is harder on young puppies and older dogs.
Kennel cough, or Bordetellosis, is caused by a bacterial infection in the dog's trachea. Sometimes just breathing will irritate the exposed nerve endings in the dog's throat, causing the hacking cough. Kennel cough is usually not serious unless the dog has underlying health conditions.
Older dogs may have weaker immune systems, or a weaker heart, than a young, healthy animal. Kennel cough generally lasts for up to 10 days, but if an older dog has complications, it could be longer. It could also lead to the older dog getting pneumonia or a host of other health issues.
Symptoms
Kennel cough usually doesn't have any symptoms other than coughing. Your dog should still have an appetite and be as playful and energetic as normal. If the dog begins to show signs of not feeling well beyond the cough, take her to a veterinarian immediately.
The older dog may need to be treated with cough suppressants or an antibiotic to help rid his system of the bacterial infection. He may also be suffering from something else. A fever is an immediate sign of something other than kennel cough going on.
Some might mistake a serious illness, such as heartworms, for kennel cough. If your older dog continues coughing for several days, or shows other symptoms, take her to the vet. Waiting for 10 days could be dangerous; the cough could be a sign of another disease. Only your vet can make that determination.
It is best to have your vet confirm your older dog has kennel cough. Ruling out, or finding, a more serious disease or health issue early on can save your pet's life. Never assume it's just kennel cough, especially in an older dog, whose immune system is already weak.
Vaccinations
Veterinarians will advise you to have your dog vaccinated for Bordetellosis, especially if the dog spends a lot of time in contact with other dogs. If you take your dog to a professional groomer, or house it in a kennel from time to time, they may require the vaccination.
Discuss the vaccination with your vet to help determine if your older dog needs it and how often. The vaccine is not a complete guarantee that your older dog will not contract kennel cough, but it will help their system ward it off.
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