Kennel Cough in Dogs: What You Should Know Before Summer Boarding and Daycare
From Your Veterinary Care Team
As summer approaches and travel plans pick up, many pet parents are preparing to board their dogs or send them to daycare. These environments are fun and social for dogs, but they also increase the risk of exposure to kennel cough, a contagious but treatable respiratory condition. Here’s what you need to know to recognize symptoms early, protect your pup, and understand when to call your vet.
What Is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough, formally called canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is a bacterial respiratory infection that spreads easily between dogs in places like doggie daycare, boarding facilities, grooming salons, and dog parks. The most common culprit is Bordetella bronchiseptica, which spreads through coughing, sneezing, or direct nose-to-nose contact with infected dogs.
It’s often compared to the common cold in dogs because most healthy pets recover quickly, but some cases can become more serious – especially if left untreated.
Symptoms to Watch For
If your dog has recently been around other dogs and starts to show signs of illness, these are the most common symptoms of kennel cough:
- Lethargy (tiredness, low energy, or sleeping more than usual)
- Loss of appetite or decreased interest in food
- Eye or nasal discharge—typically yellow or green
- Gagging, sneezing, or persistent coughing
- Vomiting, which can result from frequent coughing episodes
If your dog experiences difficulty breathing, extreme lethargy, or refuses to eat or drink, those could be signs of a more serious illness. In those cases, contact your veterinarian immediately or seek emergency care.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Kennel cough is often diagnosed through a physical exam, including a close listen to your dog’s lungs and airways using a stethoscope (auscultation). We’ll also review your dog’s recent history, such as time at a kennel, groomer, or park, to determine likely exposure.
When needed, we may recommend additional diagnostics to rule out more serious conditions or complications:
- Chest X-rays to check for signs of pneumonia
- Bloodwork to evaluate immune function and detect other infections
- PCR testing from a nasal or throat swab to identify specific pathogens (usually reserved for chronic or severe cases)
Although PCR test results can take a few days, we usually begin treatment right away based on clinical signs to help your pet feel better as soon as possible.
Treatment and Follow-Up
For mild to moderate cases, treatment generally includes rest, limited activity, and cough suppressants to make your dog more comfortable. If a bacterial infection is present, we’ll also prescribe antibiotics. These may include:
- Azithromycin
- Doxycycline
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox)
If your dog has trouble taking pills, a long-acting injectable antibiotic like Convenia can be a helpful alternative. Most dogs improve within 10 to 14 days, though we recommend continuing medication for several days after symptoms resolve to prevent recurrence.
If symptoms worsen or aren’t improving, we’ll schedule a medical progress exam and may recommend further testing or a change in treatment.
Dogs with pneumonia or underlying health conditions, such as puppies, seniors, or immunocompromised pets, may need hospitalization and more advanced care. That might include oxygen therapy, nebulization with bronchodilators, IV fluids, nutritional support, and more intensive antibiotics.
Can Kennel Cough Be Prevented?
While there’s no way to prevent kennel cough completely, the Bordetella vaccine protects against the most common strain. Vaccinated dogs may still get sick, but symptoms are usually much milder and resolve faster.
For dogs that frequently visit dog parks, daycares, or grooming salons, many clinics (including ours) recommend booster vaccinations every six months. Puppies from pet stores are especially vulnerable due to stress and exposure from transport and close housing conditions.
If you’re unsure whether your pet is up to date, our team is happy to review your records and recommend the best plan.
How Serious Is It?
Most dogs recover from kennel cough without issue, especially with early care. But in some cases, it can lead to complications such as bacterial pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, or even hypoglycemia, particularly in more fragile pets.
Even after the infection clears, inflammation of the airways may cause a lingering cough that requires ongoing care. If your dog seems to be coughing for more than a couple of weeks, let us know, we’ll help you get to the bottom of it.
What Else Could Be Causing My Dog’s Cough?
Coughing can be a symptom of several other health issues. If kennel cough doesn’t seem to fit, or if treatment isn’t working, we’ll look into other possible causes, such as:
- Canine influenza, adenovirus, or parainfluenza
- Distemper, pneumonia, or valley fever
- Heartworm disease or heart failure
- Inhaled irritants like cigarette smoke or air pollution
- Foreign bodies in the airway or collapsing trachea
- Aspiration caused by megaesophagus
Keeping your pet current on their DAPPV (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) vaccine helps protect them from some of these serious conditions.
Can People or Other Pets Catch It?
No, kennel cough is not contagious to humans. It’s also not a risk for cats or exotic pets. However, it is very contagious to other dogs, so we strongly recommend keeping your sick pup isolated at home until their symptoms are completely gone.
If you have other dogs in the house, watch them closely for signs of illness, and reach out to us right away if symptoms appear.
Final Thoughts from Our Veterinary Team
Whether you’re planning a summer getaway or just getting your dog back into group play, now is the perfect time to make sure their Bordetella vaccine is up to date. A quick, preventive step can make a big difference in keeping your pup healthy and avoiding unwanted illnesses.
If you have questions, notice any symptoms, or need help making a plan before boarding or daycare, give us a call. We’re always here to help you and your pet stay safe, healthy, and happy.
Dr. Shayla Fleming, DVM
Dr. Shayla Fleming is from Phoenix, Arizona and has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a kid. She grew up with dogs, birds, reptiles, and fish! She graduated from Aurora University in Illinois with dual bachelor degrees in Biology and health science. She moved back to Arizona to attend Midwestern University for Veterinary School and enjoys being in the sun again. She has a dog named Jack, a bird named Flynn, and a tortoise named Ralph. In her free time she enjoys hiking, going to the lake, and reading.
