Kennel cough
What is kennel cough?
Kennel cough is the common name for canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC). It is caused by several respiratory viruses and bacteria, often acting together. Common agents include Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus type 2, although other organisms may also be involved.
The term “kennel cough” can be misleading: dogs do not need to have stayed in a kennel to become infected. Exposure can occur anywhere dogs gather, including daycare, grooming salons, training classes, dog parks, shows, shelters, veterinary waiting rooms and shared walking areas.
How does it spread?
Infection spreads through droplets released when an affected dog coughs or sneezes, by close nose-to-nose contact, and from contaminated bowls, toys, leads, hands and surfaces. The usual incubation period is approximately 2-14 days, so a dog may appear healthy when they first become infectious.
What signs might I see?
• A sudden harsh, dry or “honking” cough, often occurring in repeated bouts
• Gagging, retching or bringing up a small amount of white foam after coughing
• A cough triggered by excitement, exercise or pressure from a collar
• Sneezing or mild nasal discharge
Dogs with uncomplicated kennel cough are usually bright, active and interested in food despite the cough. The sound can resemble choking, but coughing dogs are generally able to breathe and swallow between episodes.
When is it more serious?
Puppies, older dogs, brachycephalic breeds and dogs with underlying heart, airway, lung or immune disease are at greater risk of complications. Seek prompt veterinary assessment if your dog develops:
• Laboured, rapid or noisy breathing
• Reduced appetite, marked lethargy or weakness
• Fever or shivering
• A wet or productive cough, especially with increasing nasal discharge
• Blue, grey or very pale gums
• Collapse, or coughing that is rapidly worsening
Breathing difficulty is an emergency. Contact the nearest veterinary hospital immediately.
How is kennel cough diagnosed?
In a bright dog with a typical cough and recent exposure to other dogs, the diagnosis is often based on the history and physical examination. However, many other conditions can cause coughing, including pneumonia, airway disease, inhaled foreign material and heart disease.
Chest radiographs, blood tests or respiratory PCR testing may be recommended if your dog is systemically unwell, has breathing difficulty, is at higher risk of complications, or is not improving as expected. PCR testing can identify respiratory organisms, but a positive result must be interpreted alongside the clinical signs and recent vaccination history.
How is it treated?
Most uncomplicated cases improve without antibiotics, usually over 1-2 weeks, although a mild cough may persist for longer. Treatment is directed at comfort and depends on the severity of disease.
• Rest and reduced strenuous exercise while coughing
• A harness instead of a neck collar to reduce pressure on the windpipe
• Fresh water and a comfortable, well-ventilated environment
• Cough-suppressant medication in selected dogs with a dry, non-productive cough
• Antibiotics only when bacterial infection or pneumonia is suspected, or when the dog is systemically unwell
• Oxygen, intravenous fluids and hospital care for dogs with pneumonia or respiratory compromise
Do not give human cough, cold or pain medication unless specifically prescribed by a veterinarian. Some products are toxic to dogs or may be unsuitable for the type of cough present.
Home care and preventing spread
• Keep your dog away from other dogs while coughing and follow your veterinarian’s advice about when social contact can safely resume.
• Avoid daycare, boarding, grooming, training classes, dog parks and shared water bowls during the isolation period.
• Use separate bowls, bedding and toys, and wash hands after handling your dog.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and wash bedding regularly.
• Avoid smoke, aerosols, perfumes and dusty environments that may aggravate the airways.
• Keep activity gentle; excitement and vigorous exercise commonly trigger coughing bouts.
Because different organisms have different shedding periods, there is no single isolation period suitable for every case. As a practical minimum, dogs should remain separated from other dogs until the cough has fully resolved, and longer isolation may be advised for boarding, shelter or multi-dog settings.
What should I expect?
Most dogs remain well and show clear improvement within about one week, with resolution over 1-2 weeks. Arrange a recheck if the cough is not improving after a week, persists beyond 2-3 weeks, or returns after initially improving. Earlier reassessment is needed if your dog becomes lethargic, stops eating or develops breathing difficulty.
Can vaccination prevent kennel cough?
Vaccination can reduce the likelihood and severity of disease caused by several important CIRDC organisms, including Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus. It cannot prevent every case because many different organisms can cause the syndrome. Vaccination is particularly important for dogs that regularly mix with other dogs, but it is not useful as treatment once a dog is already unwell.
Clinically reviewed and approved by Dr Giulia Agostini, Pet Emergency Senior Veterinarian and Clinical Manager, DVM MANZCVS (ECC) August 2026