CANINE BORDETELLOSIS (AKA KENNEL COUGH)
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a major component of kennel cough and may be the most significant. The disease is also known as infectious tracheobronchitis. Unlike adevnovirus-2 and parainfluenza virus, B. bronchiseptica is a bacteria rather than a virus. Transmission most frequently occurs by contact with the airborne nasal secretions of infected dogs. This infection usually stays localized to the upper respiratory tract and causes paralysis of the fine cilia that line the respiratory tract. The function of the cilia is to push forward mucous and debris that get trapped. Inflammation of the nasal passages and conjunctiva of the eyes also occurs.
Symptoms
A dry harsh cough. It can sometimes be so severe that it sounds as though your dog is trying to cough something up. The coughing seems to be most severe at night when your dog is lying down. There can be secretions from both the nose and eyes. In immunosuppressed animals (puppies, geriatric patients), the organisms may make their way into the lungs and cause pneumonia.
Diagnosis
If your pet has recently been in close contact with other animals or has endured a stressful situation, we will have a high suspicion of kennel cough. Typically, these situations include shipping, grooming, boarding, attending training classes, visits to the dog park or time spent in a pet store.
Treatment
This disease is usually self-limiting. It will usually go away on its own within 1 to 2 weeks. Since the disease is usually confined to the upper respiratory tract, we may prescribe a nasal solution to help to dry up secretions and kill the bacteria. In more advanced cases, we may prescribe an oral antibiotic and nebulization. Nebulization is a process whereby we place your dog in a chamber infused with antibiotics, steam and a medication called acetylcysteine to help break up secretions. This takes about a half-hour and is performed one to three times daily.
Prevention
Acquiring this disease offers no immunity; once your pet has had this disease, it may still get kennel cough. The best prevention is to bring your pet in for an intranasal vaccine 3 to 4 days before exposure. Sometimes this vaccine is given on the first day of boarding, but your pet will receive greater protection if it is done sooner. Remember, no vaccine is 100%, and your pet may still contract the disease even with vaccination. Usually, the clinical signs are much milder in the vaccinated animal.
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