Acute inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi are known colloquially as kennel cough. It has been recognized for many years, however, it wasn't until the late 1960s that the cause of the disease was discovered.
Kennel cough is a disease that can be caused by a number of different infectious agents. The most common agent is the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica. Other causes include canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus-2, mycoplasmas, canine distemper, canine herpesvirus, and Pasteurella multocida.
Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease. Clinical illness often follows boarding, showing, or sometimes field trials. The disease causing agent is found in oronasal secretions and aerosol droplets.
Approximately 4 to 6 days after infection, the dog begins to cough. Other signs include:
Treatment depends upon the causative agent. If caused by a virus, then the treatment is supportive. If caused by bacteria, then antibiotics may be administered.
While there are immunization agents that can be effective against kennel cough, they suffer from the same problem as trying to immunize humans against the common cold - there are many different disease causing agents involved. There are vaccines against the most important disease causing agents.
Cleansing of the environment to remove pathogenic viruses and bacteria is particularly important in kennel environments. Benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidien, and chlorine bleach are all effective dinsenfectants for the more prominent agents of kennel cough.