Aerosol therapy is one of the most effective means for treating severe cases of kennel cough in dogs. This disease, known by the official name of tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily when dogs are in close proximity to one another. This trait of the disease helped to lend the name "kennel cough" to the condition. While most cases of kennel cough are mild and will resolve themselves in a matter of days, it's important that you be aware of the different degrees of severity of it so that you can properly address the situation when your pet is facing this serious problem.
When to Use Aerosol Therapy
You should use aerosol therapy as recommended by a vet. The symptoms of severe kennel cough that recommend the use of aerosol therapy as a treatment form include the following:
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Pneumonia or related symptoms
- Persistent and hacking cough that remains for weeks at a time
If your dog experiences these or any other alarming symptoms that seem to be out of the ordinary for his behavior, take him to the veterinarian immediately for an examination and a treatment plan.
Aerosol Therapy Overview
Aerosol therapy, also referred to as a bronchodilator, is a system by which you can deliver a set of medicines to your pet directly to his lungs. This bypasses the issue of having to either inject your dog with medicine or to feed it to him orally. Both of these means of delivering medication are acceptable for many dogs, but they are not viable options for dealing with severe cases of kennel cough. For this disease, it's much more efficient to pass the medicine that he needs directly to his lungs by means a bronchodilator or an aerosol therapy machine.
The aerosol therapy mechanism will take the liquid medicine and convert it into a gas. You'll need to affix the mouthpiece of the machine to your pet's mouth so that he breathes in the medicine properly. This will ensure that the medicine particles reach all the way to his lungs.
Generally, aerosol therapy is used to deliver antibiotics to your pet when it is a case of kennel cough. These help to eliminate the bacteria that have caused the infection and to support your pet's immune system as he recovers from the disease. The aerosol therapy mechanism itself is either available at a pet supply store or, in some cases, from your vet directly along with the prescription for the medicine.
When using aerosol therapy to treat your pet's kennel cough, it's important that you and your vet monitor the dog closely for signs of allergic reactions to the medicine. Work closely with the vet to make sure that the medicine is being delivered properly and that it's helping to relieve your dog's symptoms. Ask your vet about any additional questions that you may have regarding the aerosol therapy method.