Kennel Cough.

Question 1

What is kennel cough also known as?

Answer 1

Infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB).

Question 2

What is kennel cough?

Answer 2

It is a mild contagious respiratory infection of dogs.

Question 3

What causes kennel cough?

Answer 3

Inflammation of the upper airways.

Question 4

Can kennel caught be fatal for dogs?

Answer 4

It can become fatal bronchopneumonia in puppies or chronic bronchitis in sick or aged dogs.

Question 5

What kind of dogs will kennel cough spread rapidly amongst?

Answer 5

Among susceptible dogs housed in close confinement (eg, veterinary hospitals or kennels).

Question 6

What 3 viruses are usually the sole pathogens involved in causing kennel cough?

Answer 6

Canine parainfluenza virus (CPiV).

Canine adenovirus 2 (CAV-2).

Canine distemper virus.

Question 7

What bacteria commonly causes kennel cough in dogs under 6 months?

Answer 7

Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Question 8

What are 3 common bacterial infections that often lead to kennel cough?

Answer 8

Pseudomonassp.

Escherichia coli.

Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Question 9

What is the most prevalent infectious respiratory disease of dogs?

Answer 9

Kennel cough.

Question 10

What other animals are capable of transmitting kennel cough to dogs?

Answer 10

Wildlife, rodents and cats.

Question 11

How long will dogs that have recovered from kennel cough be able to transmit the virus for?

Answer 11

For up to 2 weeks post-infection.

Question 12

What kind of kennel coughs are restricted to the upper respiratory tract in dogs?

Answer 12

CPiV infections.

Question 13

What is a common cause of secondary infections from kennel cough caused by CPIV?

Answer 13

Damage to the tracheal epithelium allows for secondary infection.

Question 14

What is usually the most common form of transmission of kennel cough in dogs caused by CPIV?

Answer 14

Aerosolized microdroplets

Question 15

What kind of dogs are most likely to be affected by kennel cough caused by CPIV?

Answer 15

Animals 2 weeks and older.

Question 16

What is the incubation period of kennel cough caused by CPIV?

Answer 16

3-10 days.

Question 17

Where will the virus that causes kennel cough replicate?

Answer 17

In the epithelia of the nasal mucosa.

Question 18

How is the B. bronchiseptica version of kennel cough most likely to infect dogs?

Answer 18

Via direct contact or contact with aerosolized microdroplets from infected dogs.

Question 19

What is the incubation time of the B. bronchiseptica version of kennel cough?

Answer 19

6 days.

Question 20

How does the B. bronchiseptica version of kennel cough infect dogs?

Answer 20

It attaches to the cilia of the respiratory epithelium.

Question 21

How long does the B. bronchiseptica version of kennel cough take to heal?

Answer 21

Around 3 months.

Question 22

What is the most common clinical sign of kennel cough?

Answer 22

Harsh dry coughing that may be followed by retching and gagging.

Question 23

How can the characteristic cough of kennel cough be induced?

Answer 23

By gentle palpation of the larynx or trachea.

Question 24

What other clinical sign will dogs with kennel cough usually exhibit?

Answer 24

Few if any additional clinical signs other than partial anorexia.

Question 25

How are body temperatrure and white blood cell count usually affected by kennel cough?

Answer 25

Body temperature and WBC counts usually remain normal.

Question 26

When should tracheobronchitis be suspected in dogs that have kennel cough?

Answer 26

When the characteristic cough suddenly develops 5–10 days after exposure to other affected dogs.

Question 27

How long does kennel cough usually last for?

Answer 27

Severity usually diminishes during the first 5 days, but the disease persists for 10–20 days.

Question 28

What is essential to determine the severity of kennel cough and to exclude other causes of cough?

Answer 28

Thoracic radiographs.

Question 29

What are 8 common treatments of kennel cough?

Answer 29

Antimicrobials.

Intranasal vaccine .

Glucocorticoids.

Antitussives.

Bronchodilators.

Nebulizations.

Expectorants.

Supportive care.

Question 30

What kind of vaccines are used to vaccinate against kennel cough?

Answer 30

Modified-live virus vaccines.

Question 31

When should puppies be vaccinated against kennel cough?

Answer 31

An initial vaccination should be given at 6–8 weeks.

This should be repeated twice at 3- to 4-wk intervals until the dog is 14–16 weeks old.