Kennel Cough Symptoms
Kennel cough is not usually a serious condition, but can be very irritating for your dog, and in some cases can develop into a more serious disease. If your dog is showing any of the following symptoms, it’s important to take him to the vet for a visit right away.
The Cough
Kennel Cough can almost sound like a honking noise at times. It’s a persistent dry hacking that sounds like your dog is going to vomit. It’s common for your dog to cough many times in succession with the final cough looking and sounding like your dog is trying to hack something out. This is very uncomfortable for your pet, and can put a big strain on it’s body if it’s not treated right away.
Exercise
Most dogs will still want to be active regardless of their cough. However, if you notice that the cough gets worse every time they go for a run, it’s most likely kennel cough, and is best to limit their exercise until all symptoms of the cough are gone. It may be hard to deny your pets the exercise they look forward to everyday, but rest is is much more important in this situation so they can recover as quickly as possible.
Hacking up Foamy Liquid and Phlegm
It’s very common for dogs with kennel cough to hack up up phlegm, the same way humans do when we have the flu. It is also possible that they may throw up liquid and foam. If they eat their food or drink their water too quickly, they may puke up their dinner and phlegmy water due to an irritated throat. Some dogs won’t cough anything up during kennel cough, but are still suffering from a painful and uncomfortable throat (respiratory tract) disease that should be treated right away.
Depression and Sickness
Many dogs will remain happy and active during kennel cough, however depending on the length and severity of the disease it may start to wear your pet down. It’s extremely important to monitor your dog closely if they start acting out of the norm. If they begin showing signs of sickness and/or depression for more than a day or two they should be brought to a vet immediately. Other less obvious kennel cough symptoms might include a loss in appetite, redness around the eyes, and/or a runny nose.
Kennel cough does not usually last long, however in series cases it can last up to a few months. As a pet owner it is your responsibility to identify your dogs condition and care for it accordingly. The quicker you catch these symptoms, the faster you can treat this disease. Please note that kennel cough is extremely contagious so it’s best not to let your dog near other animals until it has fully recovered.
Did You Know?
Prolonged coughing can cause a collapse in your dogs trachea and can have long lasting and sometimes permanent effects. Bring your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any symptoms so it can get the proper care right away.
