Kennel Cough

Dog owners should take "Dog Cough" matters very
seriously. Every day, it is not uncommon for
thousands of people to seek help for alleviating
Dog Cough. The issue could be tied to Kennel
Cough, Pneumonia, Dog Flu or similar Bronchial
issue. No matter the core issue, multiple rounds
of medications may have already been tried, only
to find that the pet is still hampered by a
coughing condition - caused by some unknown
organism (pathogen). Perhaps, as is possible
with most organisms, the involved strains have
developed a resistance to common prescriptions.
Whatever the cause, the pets continue to cough.
But this does NOT need to be the case.

COUGHING CAN HAPPEN FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS

Pneumonia, Kennel Cough, a foreign object,
household products (cleansers of carpet powders)
can cause coughing issues. The most common
"Kennel Cough", is also referred to as
Bordetella (Bordetellosis) or Tracheobronchitis,
is among the more typical upper respiratory
issues that may affect dogs.

KENNEL COUGH

Kennel Cough, also referred to as Bordetella
(Bordetellosis) or Tracheobronchitis, is among
the more typical upper respiratory issues that
may affect your dog, or cat (occasionally). This
common issue is highly contagious and is known to
affect a high percentage of Dogs throughout the
world; and, Cats are not necessarily immune.
Boarding would then be an easy place to contract
the illness. Causative agents of, or contributors
to, this common upper respiratory issue may
include: para influenza, Bordetella
bronchiseptica, and mycoplasma. Canine
adenovirus, reovirus and even the canine herpes
virus have been known to be contributors.
Usually, more than one of these agents are
contributors. Initial symptoms include a
hacking, dry cough, with a retching-like action.
Often, the sound exhibited may resemble that of
'honking'. Quite often, the cough is accompanied
by a nasal discharge that is likely quite watery,
rather than heavy. Advanced cases may lead to
lethargic or lazy behavior, along with fever,
and/or lack of appetite. Occasionally, pneumonia
can result. Death is an ultimate possibility,
though highly infrequent. Though this illness
primarily affects dogs, cases with cats are not
uncommon.

PNEUMONIA ISSUES

Pneumonia has various forms, but as an
inflammatory illness of the lungs, it can be
life threatening - as it strongly affects the
ability of the body to absorb oxygen from air
taken in. With an infection resulting in
pneumonia, the 'sacs' that are responsible for
collecting the oxygen needed by the body become
filled with fluid, thereby inhibiting the
ability to collect enough oxygen to support the
body. If the body is deprived of oxygen to great
enough extent, for long enough, then the
inevitable result would be death. Symptoms of
pneumonia consist of: coughing, elevated fever,
difficulty of breathing, or even chest pain.
Shaking or chills may often be an additional
indication, as well as sweaty or clammy skin;
and, blueness of the skin would indicate a sharp
loss of oxygen.

DOG FLU

Canine influenza (Dog Flu), is a highly
contagious respiratory infection in dogs which
is caused by a virus. Canine influenza is a
relatively new condition. The first documented
case in the U.S. was in January of 2004 at a
Greyhound racetrack in Florida. Since that time,
there have been outbreaks throughout the U.S.
Canine influenza virus is closely related to the
virus that causes equine influenza. It is thought
that the equine influenza virus mutated to
produce the canine influenza virus.

Two clinical syndromes have been seen in dogs
infected with the canine influenza virus - a
mild form of the disease and a more severe form
that is accompanied by pneumonia.

Dogs suffering with the mild form of canine
influenza develop a soft, moist cough that
persists for 10 to 30 days. Some dogs have a dry
cough similar to the "kennel cough" caused by
Bordetella bronchiseptica/para influenza virus
complex. Therefore, it is not uncommon for true
Dog Flu cases to be misdiagnosed as "kennel
cough." Dogs with the mild form of influenza may
also have a thick nasal discharge, which may be
caused by a secondary bacterial infection.

Dogs with the more severe form of canine
influenza will develop a high fever, generally
104 - 106ºF, and show clinical symptoms of
pneumonia, such as rapid, labored breathing.
Pneumonia may be caused by a secondary bacterial
infection.

Because this is a newly emerging disease,
almost all dogs, are susceptible to infection
and have no immunity. Virtually every dog that
is exposed to the virus will become infected,
and nearly 80% show clinical signs of disease.
Fortunately, most affected dogs have the mild
form.


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Article Submitted by Tim Delaney, a multiple dog
owner who is a proponent of alternative and/or
holistic approaches to treating pet ailments.
References include Nzymes at
http://www.nzymes.com and Nzymes EU at
http://www.nzymes.eu.com


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