What Are Upper Respiratory Infections? How Do Dogs Get Them?
Respiratory tract infections can affect any organs and tissue related to a dog’s breathing. Dr. Amy Stone, DVM, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida. “Upper respiratory infections typically focus on nose, sinuses, and tracheal irritation, with lower respiratory infections affecting the bronchi and lungs,” she says.
Typically highly contagious, upper respiratory infections spread via various viral and bacterial pathogens that enter the oral and nasal cavities. Infectious dogs transmit the pathogens when they cough, sneeze, or have nose-to-nose contact with other dogs. This is why rapid spread occurs in daycare, boarding kennels, and shelters.
Types of Upper Respiratory Infections in Dogs
Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), often referred to as kennel cough, is one of the most common conditions veterinarians see in dogs that visit their practices. This disease affecting the respiratory tract has various viral and bacterial pathogenic causes.
Some of the most common pathogens leading to CIRDC “are the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica and viruses such as adenovirus type 1 and parainfluenza,” Dr. Stone says. “Many other organisms can cause many of the same symptoms, such as canine distemper virus, influenza viruses, and other bacteria like Streptococcus zooepidemicus.”
Dr. Stone explains that various bacterial mycoplasmas, canine respiratory coronavirus, and canine herpesvirus can also lead to upper respiratory infections. “However, all of these can also lead to lower respiratory signs if found in combination with other organisms or preexisting conditions,” she says. So, upper respiratory infections are often just a part of a larger problem that impacts the whole respiratory tract.
What is an Upper Respiratory Infection?
An upper respiratory infection is an ailment that can affect the lungs, air passages, throat, and nasal cavities. It’s often caused by bacteria or a virus, and it’s highly contagious. Fortunately, it’s typically not life-threatening unless it leads to complications like pneumonia.
Any dog can contract an upper respiratory infection, but puppies, older dogs, and dogs with health issues are at greater risk. Dogs with short muzzles, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, are also prone to respiratory issues.
Like dogs, cats can suffer from upper respiratory infections. Learn about the causes and symptoms of this illness in our feline friends.
Treating a Dog’s Upper Respiratory Infection | The Incredible Dr. Pol
Canine respiratory infections — like kennel cough (also known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis) and pneumonia — are infections of a dog’s windpipe and large airways of the lungs. The infection is normally caused by a virus or bacteria and is comparable to a chest cold in a person, ranging from minor to severe. A dog with an respiratory disease will often improve on its own in one to three weeks.
Respiratory infections are highly contagious. They can travel through the air or direct contact. Humans can even carry the disease from one dog to another. This is why animal shelters, boarding facilities, and doggy day cares are all highly watchful for this disease. Its important to wash your hands after touching any dog to prevent the potential spread of illness!
Runny nose, watery eyes, and a classic “hacking cough” are the hallmarks of infectious respiratory disease. The cough can sometimes be confused with vomiting. It has been described as “something stuck in my dog’s throat” or “like a cat trying to hack up a hairball.”