Most cases of kennel cough are caused by viral illnesses, so antibiotics are not warranted. However, in cases where the risk of secondary bacterial infection is high, such as shelter situations, antibiotics may be prescribed. The antibiotic of choice is doxycycline.
This medication will take effect quickly, in about 1 to 2 hours, however, visible effects may take a few days to be recognized.
Recommended Dosage
A typical dosage of doxycycline for dogs is 1.4 – 2.3 mg/lb every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. Dr. Drew recommends a higher dosage of 2.3 – 4.5 mg/lb every 12 to 24 hours for 10 or more days.
Some of the most widely prescribed antibiotics for kennel cough include Baytril, Doxycycline, and Clavamox. Antibiotics will not affect the viral aspect of the illness (that is, they won't prevent its spread) but will help treat secondary bacterial infections.
Typically, mild cases of kennel cough are treated with a week or two of rest, but a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection and cough medication to ease the symptoms.
Adequate rest is one of the best remedies for kennel cough. If your dog gets plenty of sleep, it will give his body a chance to fight the virus and recover properly. Put your dog in a room by himself, away from kids and other pets. This way, he will not be disturbed while trying to rest.
Most cases of kennel cough are caused by viral illnesses, so antibiotics are not warranted. However, in cases where the risk of secondary bacterial infection is high, such as shelter situations, antibiotics may be prescribed. The antibiotic of choice is doxycycline.
Antibiotics are useful against this bacterium. "... most infections resolve within one to three weeks." Some cases require prolonged treatment, but most infections resolve within one to three weeks.
Kennel cough is rarely severe, and uncomplicated kennel cough will usually go away on its own. However, medications are commonly given to help your dog recover quicker and prevent the condition from worsening. If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, take them to the vet for an examination.
Nausea and vomiting are the most commonly reported side effects of doxycycline in dogs and cats. If this side effect occurs, it is most easily managed by giving the medication with food.
Dogs generally tolerate doxycycline well, but it is always a good idea to understand the possible side effects of a drug before you give your dog a new medication. The most common side effects are symptoms of GI upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Dosage of Doxycycline for Dogs
For general infections, doxycycline is given 3-5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 7-14 days. For infections of the urinary tract and soft tissue infection, wounds that won't heal, doxycycline is given 4.4-11 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 7-14 days.
A common dosing guideline is 5 - 10 mg/kg body weight once daily, usually lasting for one to two weeks ― but please follow the recommendation of your veterinarian.
Your doctor will usually review you after 4 to 6 weeks to check how well the medicine is working. If you're taking doxycycline for any other infection, tell your doctor if you do not start feeling better after 3 days. Also tell them if, at any time, you start to feel worse.
It is concluded that a dosage of 10 mg/kg/day of doxycycline is required to obtain effective plasma concentrations in dogs and cats for 24 hours, when this dose is administered once daily.
The findings, based on clinical observations, suggest that both antibiotics were equally effective in providing prompt improvement and complete resolution of the infection, only 7 of the 134 receiving doxycycline and 13 of the 133 patients receiving amoxycillin failing to show a satisfactory response.
A dog with Kennel Cough usually recovers quickly without treatment, but it's always best to visit your vet to make sure it's Kennel Cough they're suffering from, and not another condition.
Is there a treatment for kennel cough? In most cases, dogs will recover from kennel cough without treatment within three weeks, but it can sometimes linger for anything up to six weeks.
The infection is mild in most dogs, but some may develop pneumonia. Puppies and dogs of any age with compromised immune symptoms are more likely to develop pneumonia. In severe cases, kennel cough can cause death.
Respiratory infections often need time to run their course, and it is not unusual for patients to have a pronounced cough for 1-2 weeks despite antibiotic therapy. During this time, it is important to keep your veterinarian updated as to how your dog is doing at home in regards to appetite and energy.
Kennel cough usually results in mild symptoms, mild or no pneumonia, and it resolves within 5 to 7 days. Severe symptoms in combination with poor appetite could indicate pneumonia, or inflammation and consolidation of the lung tissue, a complication of kennel cough.
Most dogs improve on their own, but some need treatment from a vet. Dogs with kennel cough should be kept away from other dogs and public spaces (while they are showing symptoms and for two to three weeks afterwards), as this is where spread is most common.
How Can You Treat Kennel Cough? Kennel Cough can usually be treated like a common cold, where a fortnight of rest will be enough to recover completely. If symptoms persist then a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or a cough medication to ease the symptoms.
Yes, Rescue™ Disinfectants are effective against Bordetella.
One of the pathogens that causes Kennel cough is the bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica. With Rescue™ Concentrate, we recommend using the 1:16 dilution (8 oz/gallon of water) with a 5-minute contact time.
Kennel cough treatment
The traditional treatment for a dog with a cough is starting antibiotics. Ideally, the antibiotic chosen is based on culture results, but often an antibiotic such as doxycycline is chosen, as it takes care of the more common bacterial causes of CIRD.