No one wants their pooch to get sick. No matter how young or old your dog is, from a brand new puppy to our beloved senior pooches, we love them all the same. All we want is to see them healthy and thriving.
Sadly, life isn't always as rosy as we'd like it to be. In reality, people get sick, and so do dogs. While some illnesses are life-threatening, others only put us or our canine friends under the weather for a week or so.
One common illness that effects dogs, especially during the summer months, is Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD), more commonly known as kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs.
Kennel Cough in Dogs
Kennel cough is an incredibly contagious illness, commonly spread among dogs in confined areas. This is a risk for dogs who live in a shelter or humane society, those who commonly use doggy boarding or daycare, or dogs who simply go to the dog park on a regular basis. Animals who haven't been vaccinated against kennel cough are at the greatest risk for contracting this disease. Though scary, it's usually fairly mild unless your dog is particularly young or has a compromised immune system. Think of it kind of like the flu, but for your dog.
Kennel Cough Symptoms in Dogs
When your dog first comes down with kennel cough, you may not notice. He or she may start sleeping more and you may assume they played hard that day. After a day or so, however, you'll notice something is up. The most common symptom is a strong sound with a honking noise. For some dogs, this is the only clue that something's amiss.
Other dogs will experience a runny nose or persistent sneezing. Lethargy and a lack of ambition are common as well. He or she may also lack interest in their food or even have a low-grade fever.
How Do Dogs Get Kennel Cough?
Being such a contagious disease, it's quite easy to contract. There are three known ways that a dog may contract kennel cough. They can get it from water droplets in the air, which is quite hard to avoid when dogs are sneezing or drooling all over the place. Secondly, dogs can get kennel cough via direct contact, like when they touch noses when playing or smelling. Lastly, dogs can get kennel cough from contaminated surfaces. This is particularly common in food and water bowls, which is why it spreads so fast in kennel environments, hence the name.
Home Remedies for Kennel Cough in Dogs
Many people are under the impression that you need to race straight to the vet at the first sign of kennel cough. This isn't always true if your dog is active and otherwise healthy. Even if you do decide to get traditional treatment, natural home remedies can be a great addition to these medications. Respiratory Support for Dogs is a great, natural way to boost your dogs respiratory system so they stay strong and healthy.
A good idea is to keep your pooch at home, in an isolation of sorts from other pets. Make sure they get as much rest as the need, as well as fresh water in a bowl that has been sterilized. In addition, there are several natural treatments that can help boost the immune system.
Both garlic and coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that can help break the sickness. Raw honey can help soothe the throat and ease coughing long enough for the dog to sleep. Do some research and figure out what would be most appropriate for your dog. Be patient and monitor how well they do with these treatments.
CBD Oil for Canine Kennel Cough
CBD oil may sound like an unconventional treatment. You may have heard of its positive uses in humans as well as animals. However, this oil can help keep your dog healthy for the long-term. Even after they've overcome their illness, keeping them on CBD oil is a fantastic way to keep them healthy. It has been shown to have many health benefits for both humans and pets.
So, how does it play a role in treating kennel cough? Most diseases are linked to inflammation, even coughs and colds. The active properties in CBD oil help to eliminate inflammation in the body, targeting the source. This can help them get over the disease quickly. Additionally, it can help relieve pain during the illness so your dog can be more comfortable as they heal. More comfort equals more sleep and quicker healing time.
Managing kennel cough in dogs doesn't have to be difficult, and it isn't as scary as it seems. In the vast majority of cases, kennel cough is mild and will run its course on its own. While many pet parents understandably freak out the second their pooch shows symptoms, there's no need to rush to the vet in the middle of the night or on the weekend if your dog is older than six months. Try natural treatment methods first, and watch your pet closely to see if their symptoms improve. Rest assured, soon enough, your little guy or gal will be running around and getting into just as many things as they usually do.