Significance

• Kennel cough, or canine tracheobronchitis, is highly contagious. The disease spreads when an infected dog sneezes or coughs or when a dog comes into direct contact with an infected dog or contaminated surface.
  
  

Types

• The bacteria bordetella bronchiseptica is the culprit in about 80 percent of kennel cough cases, according to vetinfo.com. Several canine viruses, including distemper, adenovirus and parainfluenza, can also cause the disease.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms occur within three to five days of exposure. The most common symptom is a dry, hacking, persistent cough. Dogs can also sneeze, retch or even vomit. Dogs can remain contagious for weeks, even if they no longer show symptoms.
  
  

Treatment

• Treatments include cough suppressants and antibiotics for bacterial infections. Vaccinating your dog can prevent the viral forms of kennel cough. The vaccine comes in injection and nasal-spray forms.
  
  

Considerations

• Most dogs will recover fully within a few weeks with proper care, but untreated kennel cough can turn into pneumonia. If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, consult a veterinarian.