Caused by both viruses such as canine parainfluenza or canine adenovirus 2, and bacteria such as Bordetella bronchiseptica or Mycoplasma, kennel cough is a very contagious respiratory disease that results in inflammation of the larynx, trachea or windpipe, bronchi, and, in severe cases, the lower airways such as the lungs.
Despite the loud, hard, persistent coughing, the inflammation is often mild. When a healthy dog gets kennel cough, its immune system is usually strong enough to kill off the disease without much medical intervention. However, among puppies and debilitated older animals, kennel cough can lead to severe problems, such as secondary bacterial infections and pneumonia.
In rare cases, there is a chance that a child or an adult with a weak immune system could acquire Bordetella bronchiseptica from an infected dog that is secreting the bacteria. This condition has been referred to as human bordetellosis.
