Since there is no cure for kennel cough, kennel cough treatments often center around reducing symptoms and making your dog comfortable during illness. This doesn't mean a veterinary visit is not required, however, since symptoms may become more serious without proper treatment.
Kennel Cough Symptoms
Kennel cough is an airborne virus easily transmitted in places where lots of dogs can be found, such as boarding facilities, dog daycare and groomers. Many of these places require vaccinations prior to admittance because of how contagious the disease is among unvaccinated dogs. Veterinarians often suggest kennel cough vaccinations every six months for dogs who are often boarded.
Kennel cough is an upper respiratory disease with symptoms similar to the common cold, including coughing, runny eyes and nasal discharge. Coughing will often increase during exercise or at night when your dog is sleeping. If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, place your fingers on your dog's trachea just above his collar and press gently for one second. If your dog has kennel cough, this will trigger a bout of coughing.
Kennel Cough Treatment
Some veterinarians may recommend medication for kennel cough symptoms, but often, they just suggest letting the disease run its course, which could take from one to three weeks. During this time, keep your dog isolated from other dogs to which he could pass the disease.
There are some homeopathic remedies that may help reduce symptoms, however. Add a few drops of Colloidal Silver, which serves as a natural antibiotic, to your dog's fresh drinking water, which should be replaced several times daily. Consult your veterinarian before administering this because Colloidal Silver may have undesirable side effects.
Other treatments include adding a few drops of Echinacea, which stimulates the immune system, to your dog's tongue three times daily until symptoms subside or give him three Bryonia tablets, which have been shown to relieve flu-like symptoms, daily. Honey can also soothe your dog's throat. A spoonful can be given three times daily.
Your dog can also benefit from steam treatments, which can be done in your bathroom by closing the door while running hot water for a few minutes and then allowing your dog to sit in the steam. Consider placing a cool mist vaporizer near your dog's bed with mentholated children's vaporizer.
In addition, keep your dog's bed warm, preventing drafts or cold floors that may make symptoms worse. Avoid smoking around your dog, and clean your air conditioning or heating filter to prevent additional dust from contaminating the air. Make sure to prevent him from contracting additional germs by cleaning frequently, including his bowls, toys and bedding.
Though there is no cure for kennel cough, there are many homeopathic treatments to reduce your dog's symptoms. It's also important to keep his environment as sterile and comfortable as possible to reduce the chance he will contract any other viruses while his immune system is weakened.