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Most pet owners are keen for their pets to enjoy good health throughout their lives, and this is why they ensure they have a good vet on hand to speak to if any health issues arise. If you are a dog owner, you will already know that they are susceptible to a range of common canine health issues, and one of these is kennel cough. While it is not necessarily serious, kennel cough is very contagious, and it can prove more serious in some dogs such as the more vulnerable ones.
This is why it is important to seek veterinary advice if you have a vulnerable dog and believe that your dog has kennel cough. Although kennel cough does not cause serious issues in many dogs – although it can cause discomfort and stress for them – in dogs that are elderly, young puppies, and dogs with weak immune systems, it can be much more serious. This is why it is important that you take speedy steps to speak to a veterinarian in these circumstances.
When Should You Seek Treatment?
One thing that pet owners might wonder is when to seek treatment or advice for their vulnerable dog. Well, there are a couple of situations where it is advisable to seek advice and get your pet checked. The first is if your pet shows any of the common symptoms of kennel cough. This includes symptoms such as:
- A hacking cough
- Signs of a white foamy substance
- Excessive sneezing
- Increased lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Signs of a slight fever
If your dog shows these signs, it is best to speak to your vet to either confirm or rule out kennel cough. Another situation where you should consider speaking to your vet is if your pet has been in close contact with another dog with kennel cough, as this is a highly contagious illness.
You need to keep in mind that in young puppies, kennel cough could lead to bronchopneumonia, and is senior dogs and those with compromised immune systems, it could lead to chronic bronchitis. So, although the kennel cough itself is not generally dangerous, the problems it can lead to in some dogs can be serious.
If your dog is vulnerable and fits into the categories outlined above, it is also important to try and protect it from getting kennel cough in the first place. You can speak to your vet about getting inoculations, although this will not eliminate the chances of getting kennel cough. However, taking steps such as keeping your dog away from other dogs that could have kennel cough is important because of how contagious the condition is.
Anyone with a vulnerable dog will know that extra care and attention is needed when it comes to the pet’s health and wellbeing. With this sort of condition, you need to make sure you keep your dog’s vulnerability in mind, and that you seek advice from your vet if you have any concerns about kennel cough.