Bordetella Bronchiseptica
Initial Symptons
- A “honking” cough
- runny nose
- sneezing
- lethargy
- loss of appetite
- low fever
How is it spread?
Kennel cough spreads quickly when dogs are kept in close quarters (such as boarding facilities ) but it can also spread if a dog greets an infected dog during a walk or drinks from a contaminated water bowl at the park.
At Risk
Kennel cough is contagious and all dogs are susceptible
What is Bordetella Bronchiseptica?
Bordetella bronchiseptica is one of the more common bacterial causes of canine infectious tracheobronchitis — also known as kennel cough.
Bronchiseptica is inhaled, and adheres to the respiratory cilia and evades the immune system. and discharges a variety of toxins that damage the respiratory epithelium.
Signs
Signs of kennel cough typically develop two to 14 days after exposure.
In mild cases, signs may resolve within 10 to 14 days.
Diagnosis
There’s no specific test for kennel cough.
Based on the examination and history, your vet will determine whether they suspect kennel cough.
Treatment
Antibiotics is usually all that’s needed to treat Bordetella Bronchiseptica, but generally no treatment at all is necessary.
Prevention
Vaccinations can decrease the severity of symptoms and provide some protection against kennel cough but are not 100% effective.
