Kennel cough is a highly infectious respiratory illness of canines; this is also
scientifically known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis and can be commonly referred to as that of a cold that basically affects the upper respiratory. The illness is caused by a variety of airborne bacterium and viruses. It wouldn't be surprising if a lot of dogs experience bouts of it at certain points in their lives. Kennel cough treatment will definitely save you a good number of sleepless nights as you worry about your dog's condition.
The distinctive case of a simple kennel cough will last somewhere from one to three weeks and thus requires little to no medication at all. The duration of the illness could depend on the dog's age and health before the beginning of the infection.
Oftentimes, it is very difficult to fight off the infection in puppies and senior pets. Although it may seem that a kennel cough is not directly life threatening it would still be wise for dog owners to have their pets vaccinated against the disease for in extreme cases this simple infection can develop into a worst case of pneumonia which is definitely life threatening.
To combat an illness appropriately it would be a good move to know the nature and symptoms of such. Here are the common symptoms of Kennel Cough:
- Runny eyes
- Nasal discharge
- Vomiting mucous after a coughing spasm
- Cough set off by exercise
- Cough set off by gentle force at the throat
You can also determine if your dog is suffering from kennel cough at home by placing your fingers on the center of your dog's neck just above its collar. While pressing gently against his airway for a couple of seconds observe if this immediately triggers a round of coughing. With this process you can definitely be sure that your dog is now suffering with kennel cough.
There are a lot of remedies for this common illness in canines and the following are two of the most popular:
The Traditional Home Treatment
- Keeping your pet warm and quiet and free from light wind.
- Removing your pet's collar to avoid unwarranted coughing spurs.
- Letting your pet drink loads of fresh water and feeding them with wet food only.
- Give your pet a vaporizing treatment three times a day so he could get rid of more phlegm.
- Take your dog in the bathroom, run a hot shower, and let it breathe in the steam for a good 20 minutes.
The Homeopathic Treatment
These are products that are designed to sustain your dog's immune system and allow them to fight off the infection on their own. Each product has its own formula but there are many formulas that contain some botanical and herbal ingredients in them.
If the situation gets worse and you dog is spitting up deep gold to green phlegm then this may already be a sign of a secondary bacterial infection - it would be best to see your vet so that appropriate medication can be provided. After all, your vet will definitely be the perfect person to advise you of the best Kennel Cough Treatment that will surely work for your pet.