Copyright birminghammail
As temperatures begin to drop, many pet owners may observe an increase in their dogs becoming unwell with various illnesses and infections. Whilst numerous of these ailments might display minor symptoms, they can sometimes lead to more severe health complications and even necessitate a trip to the vet. One especially common virus during the colder months is 'kennel cough', which originates from several different bacteria and viruses. Read more: Asylum seeker 'completely unbothered' after murder Kennel cough typically refers to infectious bronchitis - a respiratory ailment in dogs that resembles chest infections in humans. The illness can be highly contagious and may transmit quickly through airborne germs or via bacteria on shared food bowls and toys, reports the Mirror . Generally, the virus presents no life-threatening danger, though in some cases it could lead to serious complications. Guidance from animal welfare organisation Blue Cross states: "While a nuisance, kennel cough is not normally dangerous and is likely to need no treatment at all. But in puppies, elderly dogs or those with existing illnesses, the condition can be more serious and can develop into pneumonia. Depending on the germs which have caused the virus, some strains of the infection can also be more severe than others." As kennel cough impacts the respiratory system, one of the earliest signs of infection is usually a persistent cough from your pet. However, it can also cause several other symptoms, including: Typically, these symptoms should clear up on their own within a few weeks as long as your dog stays hydrated and gets plenty of rest and care. However, in some cases, it may be safer to take your dog to the vet to get a professional opinion. Kennel cough usually doesn't cause serious complications in most dogs, however, it could be more threatening for puppies, older dogs, and those with existing health conditions or illnesses. If you are concerned that a respiratory illness could cause serious illness in your dog for any of these reasons, you should see the vet as soon as possible in case they need to provide treatment. Depending on what's causing the kennel cough, the vet may decide to provide antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or cough suppressants. They may also decide that no drug treatment is necessary at that time and will instead provide advice on how to look after your dog while they're recovering. Further details on kennel cough, as well as how to spot it in your pet, can be found on the Blue Cross website here.
