WebMD explains kennel cough, including how it is transmitted to dogs, symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention.
Edit Article Edited by Andrea, Teresa, Krystle, Eric and 14 others Kennel Cough , or infectious tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious upper respiratory problem in dogs. In general, kennel cough is a term used to describe a condition called Infectious Tracheobronchitis. The most common types of agents that cause kennel cough are parainfluenza virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and mycoplasma.
Kennel cough is a term loosely used to describe a complex of infections-both viral and bacterial-that causes inflammation of a dog's voice box and windpipe. It's a form of bronchitis and is similar to a chest cold in humans. Though it usually clears up on its own, kennel cough is highly contagious to other dogs.
Keep healthy puppies like these Westies in clean and non-crowded housing to prevent the risk of kennel cough. Image © bazzadarambler/Flickr Canine infectious tracheobronchitis, generically referred to as kennel cough, is a highly contagious and common condition affecting puppies and adult dogs. The disease causes an inflammation of the dog's larynx, trachea, and bronchi--tubes leading to the lungs.
