Many dogs die from kennel cough every year in the United States. This disease occurs when one of two types of viruses, parainfluenza and parvovirus, become intertwined. The dog with kennel cough will contract one of the viruses, or the other virus, and then cause the other virus to be affected. This makes both dogs equally sick.
If your dog has symptoms of kennel cough, then see your vet. The most common and safe vaccine for kennel cough is the bordetella vaccination. The bordetella vaccine, also known as the Blue Cross, is a safe and relatively effective vaccine that should always be given by a vet if your dog ever comes into contact with other dogs not living at the same house. The Blue Cross is also good to give to puppies, because they are too young to get the vaccine around the time they are being vaccinated.
How does the kennel cough spread? It usually spreads through respiratory secretions. Small animals like donkeys and ponies are more likely to contract the disease than other large animals, including dogs. The tiny particles of infected saliva can go into the lungs and remain there for a long time. This is very dangerous because it is possible to spread the disease to other animals that live in the same household. You will need to isolate the sick animals until the kennel cough has gone away.
Some of the symptoms your dog may have include coughing, wheezing, runny nose, and a yellowish, green-yellow mucus. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you what type of symptoms to look for. There can be many other symptoms that can mimic the Blue Cross, but they are less likely to be deadly. You should also take note that dogs may sometimes exhibit no symptoms at all. So it is best to know what to look for.
Vaccination is available for dogs that have not been immunized. However, many dog owners choose not to get their dogs vaccinated so they can allow the dog to be exposed to the general public. This is not advisable since the vaccine can be difficult to administer and is not always successful. Also, it is important to consider that the vaccine is not meant for every dog, and children will not be protected with it either.
If your dog contracts the kennel cough and has not received a vaccination, then you should consult with your veterinarian about an alternative treatment. The most common option is the use of an antiviral medication. An antiviral medication, like caspofungin, is used to treat most types of viral infections. Once your dog contracts kennel cough and is exposed to it, then he will need to be treated with the antiviral medication. However, your veterinarian may not prescribe this if the illness has become a chronic condition.
Another option is to inject your dog with an anti-cough medicine. Like the injection, the vet will need to confirm that your dog’s symptoms are indeed caused by kennel cough. If the infection has become chronic, then the vet may also recommend that your dog to undergo a course of antibiotics. You can discuss this with your veterinarian, but in general, these medications are quite safe for dogs. Just remember that the cough itself is not dangerous; it is caused by an infection.
Some types of canine distemper can be particularly dangerous to dogs, causing fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and death. Common viruses include parainfluenza, rabies, distemper, hepatitis, and leptospirosis. vaccines to help protect your dog against some of these more virulent viruses. There are several vaccines available to protect both puppies and adults from several of these pathogens. The exact list of canine distemper vaccines is not available; however, your vet can provide you with the information you need to start your own list.