Kennel cough

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Kennel cough or canine infectious respiratory disease is a disease of the upper respiratory tract of dogs as kennel cough (also: infectious tracheobronchitis , English kennel cough or canine infectious respiratory disease ) . The infectious disease can be triggered by various pathogens. A dry cough is typical of the disease .

Pathogens

Various viruses and bacteria can be involved as pathogens in the kennel cough complex . It is most frequently observed here

possible pathogens of the disease. Bacterial causes can also include mycoplasma .

Spread of the disease

The pathogens are transmitted via the air (aerogenic) or as droplet infection when sick animals cough up or sneeze out material containing the pathogen. If several dogs live together in a confined space (e.g. in a kennel ), they quickly infect each other, which is what gave the disease its name. There is also an increased risk of infection where dogs from different postures meet at events (e.g. at a dog show or in a puppy group ) and are in close contact with each other. This also applies to stays in boarding houses or animal shelters.

The incubation period is 2–30 days, depending on the type of pathogen. The infection with a single pathogen type must not alarming disease trigger. However, if several viral and bacterial pathogens interact, this can lead to a severe course.

Symptoms

Typical of the kennel cough is a loud, dry, choking cough, which initially makes you think of a swallowed foreign body that the dog wants to cough up. The sick dog does not necessarily cough constantly. It is also possible that the urge to cough only occurs briefly when you are under strain, for example when you stand up, run or play.

If the disease is severe, there may be fever and, in addition to coughing, pharyngitis (sore throat), tonsillitis (tonsillitis) and tracheobronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchi and windpipe (trachea). Colds ( rhinitis ) and purulent conjunctivitis ( conjunctivitis ) can also occur.

course

Mild forms of the disease can heal on their own within a few days. A visit to the veterinarian is advisable, however, in order to detect secondary infections at an early stage and, if necessary, to determine the type of pathogen. The healing can be supported with medication. Because of the high risk of infection, contact with other dogs should be restricted as far as possible.

If several viral and bacterial pathogens are involved and other stress factors are present (such as unfavorable housing conditions or special performance requirements), the general well-being of the dog can be severely disturbed. Often the dry cough later changes to a productive cough, so mucus is produced . The inflammation of the respiratory tract can ultimately lead to pneumonia (bronchopneumonia).

diagnosis

The veterinarian recognizes the kennel cough on the basis of the symptoms in connection with a corresponding history (contact with a large number of strange dogs). In the case of a complicated course, a pathogen detection from the bronchial or nasal secretions may be necessary for targeted control. For this purpose, a sterile swab is used, which should be stored in a special transport medium containing activated charcoal for the detection of Bordetella bronchiseptica until the examination. The bacterial pathogen is cultivated on selective culture media and can then be identified (see evidence of Bordetella bronchiseptica ).

Prevention and treatment

There is the possibility of a vaccination against the two main pathogens of kennel cough . However, this should be administered by the vet individually according to the living conditions of the dog and the level of infection pressure. Also, the success of a vaccination is not guaranteed, since not all possible pathogens are vaccinated. However, the course is then significantly weakened. The guideline on the vaccination of small animals , which is published by the Standing Vaccination Commission Vet. , Contains recommendations on the conditions under which vaccination is advisable.

In Germany, a combination product is available for dogs that protects against Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus type 2 (CPiV-2) at the same time . There is also a single preparation as a vaccine against Bordetella bronchiseptica . A vaccination against this pathogen can be useful if the dog has close contact with cats , rabbits or other animal species that can also be infected by Bordetella bronchiseptica . The preparations mentioned are administered intranasally , i. H. administered through the nose. The vaccination against the virus CPiV-2 can also be part of other combination preparations that offer prophylaxis against distemper or parvovirus , for example . These are administered parenterally .

According to the vaccination recommendation of the Vet. Standing Vaccination Commission, the vaccines to be administered intranasally can be used early on in puppies. For older dogs, vaccination should be given one to four weeks before planned contact with potentially infected animals, e.g. B. when staying in a boarding house or when visiting a dog show. When using vaccines containing CPiV, which are administered parenterally, the puppies are given a primary vaccination at eight weeks of age and a second vaccination four weeks later. Annual refreshment can be useful if kennel cough is a persistent problem in the dog's environment. However, at the same time the housing conditions should be improved and hygiene measures implemented.

A veterinarian prescription of antibiotics in combination with antitussive drugs may be necessary. However, antibiotics only work against the bacterial pathogens. The kennel cough usually heals on its own after 1 to 2 weeks, but especially in young and weakened animals it can lead to complications and permanent damage or even death.

literature

  • Katrin Hartmann, Peter F. Suter: Internship at the dog clinic . Paul-Parey-Verlag, 10th edition 2006, pp. 284-286, ISBN 3-8304-4141-X
  • Ernst G. Grünbaum, Ernst Schimke: Clinic of canine diseases . Georg Thieme Verlag, 3rd edition, 2005, pp. 1124–1127, ISBN 3-8304-1021-2
  • Karin Duchow, Katrin Hartmann u. a .: Guideline for the vaccination of small animals . Ed .: Standing Vet. Vaccination Commission in the Federal Association of Practicing Veterinarians e. V. 2nd edition. 2013, ISBN 978-3-933711-14-4 ( PDF, 504 kB [accessed March 10, 2014]).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ BS Schulz, S Kurz, K Weber, HJ Balzer, K Hartmann: Detection of respiratory viruses and Bordetella bronchiseptica in dogs with acute respiratory tract infections . In: Veterinary Journal . 201, No. 3, September 2014, pp. 365-369. doi : 10.1016 / j.tvjl.2014.04.019 . PMID 24980809 .
  2. ↑ NCBI: Canine parainfluenza virus (species)
  3. ↑ NCBI: Canine mastadenovirus A (species)
  4. ↑ Alfonso López, Shannon A. Martinson: Respiratory System, Mediastinum, and Pleurae1 , in: Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease (6th edition 2017: Canine Influenza (Canine Flu))
  5. ↑ NCBI: Canine respiratory coronavirus (no rank)
  6. ↑ NCBI: Canine morbillivirus (species)
  7. ↑ a b c d e f g Karin Duchow, Katrin Hartmann u. a .: Guideline for the vaccination of small animals . Ed .: Standing Vet. Vaccination Commission in the Federal Association of Practicing Veterinarians e. V. 2nd edition. 2013, ISBN 978-3-933711-14-4 ( download from the veterinary association ).
  8. ^ Hans Georg Nobody, Susi Arnold-Gloor: Internship at the dog clinic . Georg Thieme Verlag, 2006, ISBN 978-3-8304-4141-0 , p. 284.
  9. ↑ Vaccination recommendation of the Standing Vet. Vaccination Commission for dogs (PDF file; 33 kB)
  10. ↑ Canine Vaccines. In: Paul Ehrlich Institute . February 13, 2014, accessed March 10, 2014 .