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Kennel Cough: What Every Dog Owner Should Know This Summer
From Your Trusted Veterinary Clinic

With warmer weather and summer travel picking up, many dogs are spending more time in boarding facilities, daycares, and dog parks. These social settings are great for enrichment but they also increase the risk of spreading kennel cough, a highly contagious but typically treatable illness we see frequently in our clinic.

Here’s what we want pet parents to know to keep their dogs safe and healthy this season.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough, officially known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is an upper respiratory infection that affects the trachea and bronchi. It’s most commonly caused by the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica and is easily spread through coughing, sneezing, or even brief nose-to-nose contact with other dogs.

Environments such as dog parks, daycare centers, grooming salons, and boarding kennels make it easy for the illness to spread. Because it’s so common and usually mild in healthy dogs, many refer to it as the “common cold” of the canine world.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough

If your dog has recently been around other dogs, keep an eye out for these signs:

• Nasal or eye discharge that appears green or yellow
• Loss of appetite or decreased interest in meals
• Sneezing, coughing, or gagging that won’t go away
• Vomiting due to prolonged coughing
• Lethargy – appearing more tired or less energetic than normal

Any dog showing difficulty breathing, refusing to eat or drink, or extreme fatigue should be seen by a veterinarian immediately, as these could be signs of a more serious condition.

How We Diagnose Kennel Cough

Diagnosis typically starts with a physical exam and a discussion of your pet’s recent exposure history. During the exam, we’ll perform an auscultation, listening to the lungs and upper airways with a stethoscope, and assess clinical signs.

For more complex or severe cases, we may recommend:

• Chest X-rays to rule out pneumonia
• Blood tests to evaluate immune response and screen for other conditions
• PCR swab testing from the nose or throat, which helps identify specific infectious organisms

While PCR test results can take several days, we usually begin treatment based on your dog’s symptoms and exposure history. Prompt care leads to better outcomes and quicker recovery.

What Treatment Involves

In uncomplicated cases, dogs often recover with rest, cough suppressants, and possibly anti-inflammatory medications to ease throat irritation. If a bacterial infection is suspected, we typically prescribe antibiotics such as:

• Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox)
• Doxycycline
• Azithromycin

Some pets may struggle with pills, in those cases, we offer Convenia, a long-acting injectable antibiotic that provides coverage for up to 14 days.

Most dogs start improving within 10–14 days, and medication is continued for a few days after symptoms clear. If your dog’s symptoms worsen or persist, we’ll schedule a recheck and possibly further diagnostics to evaluate next steps.

Severe cases, particularly in very young, elderly, or immunocompromised dogs, may require hospitalization. Treatments in those situations may include oxygen therapy, IV fluids, nebulization, bronchodilators, and supportive care.

Can Kennel Cough Be Prevented?

Prevention starts with the Bordetella vaccine, which protects against the most common cause of kennel cough. While the vaccine doesn’t prevent every strain, it significantly reduces the risk of infection and generally leads to less severe symptoms if exposure occurs.

We recommend the Bordetella vaccine yearly, or every 6 months for dogs who visit dog parks, daycare, or grooming salons regularly. Puppies from pet stores are also at higher risk, as they are often exposed to illness during transport or in group housing.

Is It Dangerous?

In healthy dogs, kennel cough usually resolves without complications. However, some pets may develop secondary conditions such as bacterial pneumonia, low blood sugar, or chronic bronchitis, which can result in a lingering cough even after the infection clears.

It’s important to monitor your dog’s progress and follow up if symptoms don’t improve. Early treatment is the best way to prevent complications and discomfort.

Other Causes of Coughing in Dogs

Because coughing can indicate more than just kennel cough, we sometimes explore other conditions if treatment isn’t working as expected. These may include:

• Canine influenza, adenovirus, or parainfluenza
• Distemper, pneumonia, or valley fever
• Heart disease or heartworm infection
• Environmental irritants (smoke, pollution, allergens)
• Foreign bodies or airway obstructions
• Megaesophagus or collapsing trachea

That’s why staying current on core vaccines like DAPPV (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) is so important. We’ll help you rule out serious causes and get your dog back on track if recovery stalls.

Is Kennel Cough Contagious to Humans or Other Pets?

No, kennel cough is not contagious to people, nor does it spread to cats or exotic pets. However, it’s highly contagious among dogs, so we recommend isolating your pet if they’re showing symptoms.

If you have other dogs in your household, monitor them closely and let us know if they begin to cough or show any signs of illness.

Final Thoughts from Our Veterinary Team

If you’re planning to board your dog, visit the groomer, or return to the dog park this summer, make sure their Bordetella vaccine is up to date. A simple preventive step can save your dog from discomfort and save you from an unexpected trip to the vet.

And remember: if your dog starts coughing or acting off, we’re just a phone call away. Whether it’s a quick exam, vaccine update, or follow-up care, our team is here to help your pup stay safe and healthy all season long.