Health A-Z
Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)
Owner and veterinary guidance with linked treatments and source citations.
Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)
Species: Dog
Breeds Affected: All Breeds (especially those in close contact with others – e.g. boarding, shelters)
Clinical review: Veterinary reviewer metadata is not available yet.
Guidance by audience
Use the global Pet owner/Vet toggle in the header. Each mode shows only what that audience needs.
For Pet Owners
Quick summary
Kennel cough refers to a contagious complex of respiratory infections (viral and bacterial) that cause tracheobronchitis. It is often caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria, plus viruses like canine parainfluenza or adenovirus-2. It spreads easily in enclosed or social environments via airborne droplets or contaminated surfaces. Although usually mild, it can lead to pneumonia in puppies or immunocompromised dogs. Track appetite, hydration, stool/urine changes, energy level, and symptom pattern over time.
Red flags
Call your vet today: Persistent or worsening symptoms. Emergency now: Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain.
What to expect at the vet
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Prevention checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
For Veterinarians
Diagnostics
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Differentials
Differential diagnosis considerations are not available yet.
Treatment considerations
Mild cases often resolve on their own in 1–3 weeks. Veterinary advice may be to rest the dog and use supportive home care: isolate from other dogs, use a humidifier or steam to soothe airways, and avoid neck collars (use a harness). If the cough is very persistent or the dog is uncomfortable, a cough suppressant may be prescribed. In cases with bacterial involvement or if pneumonia is suspected, antibiotics (such as doxycycline or amoxicillin-clavulanate) are used to clear the infection. Most importantly, limit exercise and stress during recovery.
Follow-up strategy
Follow-up strategy is not available yet.
What To Do Now
Escalate care quickly if symptoms worsen, persist, or include emergency warning signs.
| Urgency | Signs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Call your vet today | Persistent or worsening symptoms | Call your veterinarian the same day for guidance and exam scheduling. |
| Emergency now | Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain | Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. |
Prevention Checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
Treatments and Medication Links
Use these medication pages as a reference for options your veterinarian may discuss.
Detailed treatment strategy remains in the Vet view to avoid duplicate narrative blocks.
| Medication | Role | Evidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prednisolone | Supportive | Limited | Auto-linked from medication condition map (source=fda_label, confidence=0.950). |
| Trimeprazine Tartrate | Supportive | Limited | Auto-linked from medication condition map (source=fda_label, confidence=0.950). |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: When should I contact a veterinarian about Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)?
A: Contact your veterinarian promptly if your pet has persistent or worsening signs of Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis), stops eating or drinking, has breathing difficulty, severe pain, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, collapse, or neurologic signs. Use emergency care immediately for life-threatening symptoms. [PetWisePlus generated reference]
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Q: How is Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis) diagnosed and monitored?
A: Veterinarians diagnose based on history, exam findings, and targeted diagnostics such as lab work, imaging, and disease-specific tests. Follow-up intervals depend on severity, response to treatment, and recurrence risk. [PetWisePlus generated reference]
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Q: What should pet owners track at home for Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)?
A: Track appetite, hydration, activity, bathroom habits, medication adherence, side effects, and symptom changes over time. Bring a simple log and photos/videos of episodes to follow-up visits so treatment can be adjusted quickly. [PetWisePlus generated reference]
Data Sources
Last updated: February 16, 2026, 11:11 AM UTC
View source list
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Owner_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Kennel+Cough+%28Infectious+Tracheobronchitis%29Reference search for condition background. -
Triage · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Kennel+Cough+%28Infectious+Tracheobronchitis%29Clinical triage framing. -
Vet_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Kennel+Cough+%28Infectious+Tracheobronchitis%29Clinical workflow reference. -
Diagnosis · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=Kennel+Cough+%28Infectious+Tracheobronchitis%29Guideline discovery link. -
Prevention · public_health
https://www.cdc.gov/search/?query=Kennel+Cough+%28Infectious+Tracheobronchitis%29Public health discovery link. -
Treatment_overview · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=Kennel+Cough+%28Infectious+Tracheobronchitis%29Treatment guideline discovery link.
Revision History
View revision log
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:10 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 04:45 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-12 22:47 · etl
Related Media
Merck Veterinary Manual search for Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis). [PetWisePlus generated reference]
CDC search results for Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis). [PetWisePlus generated reference]
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