Symptoms, vaccine & treatment of kennel cough in dogs

Kennel cough is highly contagious and it affects a large number of dogs in Sweden every year. It is often not dangerous, but it can be troublesome for the dog when it coughs. In some cases, serious or life-threatening complications can occur.

What is kennel cough?

Kennel cough is a collective name for a contagious respiratory infection in dogs with a cough. It is highly contagious and is usually spread through direct contact between dogs.

What are common symptoms of kennel cough?

There are many different symptoms that may be signs that your dog has kennel cough. Here are some examples:

• Coughing, most often ending in a gagging sound, as if the dog is trying to vomit

• Fever

• Poor appetite

• Low energy

What should I do if I suspect my dog has kennel cough?

If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, you should take it easier than usual, taking only short walks on the lead - avoiding contact with other dogs. Keep an eye on your dog's temperature, if it has a fever that won't go away, or if it becomes hoarse, contact a vet. If you take your dog to the vet, be careful not to bring it into the reception area, so that other waiting dogs are not infected.

If you are worried about your dog, we recommend that you call a digital vet in the first instance, where you can get help on how best to care for your dog and whether or not you should see a vet. As a Lassie insurance customer, you always have unlimited calls to digital vet.

Can I prevent kennel cough?

There is a vaccine for kennel cough that provides protection against the infection, however, it does not provide 100% protection and a vaccinated dog may get kennel cough but will have a milder version. The dog should be vaccinated against kennel cough every year.

Remember to avoid contact with dogs that have symptoms of kennel cough as it is easily spread.