Is Sneezing Included in Kennel Cough Symptoms?

There are few kennel cough symptoms, which can also be confused with other cold and flu symptoms. Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection as are many other influenzas with similar symptoms.

Dog Kennel Cough Symptoms

The most common symptom of kennel cough is a dry hacking cough. For some dogs, this will be the only symptom. However, other dogs may have additional symptoms including dry heaving, eye or nasal discharge, lethargy, lack of appetite and fever. During coughing fits, your dog may hack up a yellowish phlegm or white froth.

Rarely, snorting or sneezing will also accompany the cough. However, this will never be the only symptom seen. For a sneeze to be considered a symptom of kennel cough, it will be accompanied with the dry, hacking cough and possibly additional symptoms. Sneezing and snorting will be more common after an infected dog has exercised or when excited.

In most cases of kennel cough, your dog will still maintain a healthy appetite and energy level. However, if your dog shows signs of lethargy or loss of appetite, consult your veterinarian for treatment.

Cat Kennel Cough Symptoms

Though kennel cough more often infects dogs because they are more often boarded or taken to places with other dogs, cats can also contract kennel cough. As with dogs, the characteristic symptom is coughing.

Cats will often hack up masses of mucous that looks like a hairball, so it's more difficult to tell if they have kennel cough or a simple hairball. However, cats often have other symptoms such as eye and nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, decreased appetite and difficulty breathing.

Cats are also more likely to sneeze, though this is not one of the most common symptoms.

Additional Causes of Sneezing

Though sneezing is not one of the more common symptoms of kennel cough, many similar upper respiratory diseases can result in sneezing, such as parainfluenza. If sneezing is caused by an illness, it will usually be accompanied by a fever.

Dogs can also sneeze if they have a foreign body stuck in their nose, if they have an allergy, if they inhaled too much dust or another irritant, if they have a nasal tumor or if they have a tooth abscess. Breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and others with short snouts are more likely to sneeze because of environmental irritants.

Cats will also sneeze for the above listed reasons. The most common cause of cat sneezing is parainfluenza or Adenovirus, which are similar to kennel cough. Persians and other flat-faced cats are more likely to suffer from sneezing fits due to environmental irritants.

Most causes of sneezing are not serious, but they should not be overlooked. If the sneezing persists, consult your veterinarian, especially if the sneezing is accompanied by a fever. Though sneezing can be a cause of kennel cough, you will most likely notice the cough before the sneezing.

 

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