Something that is discussed regularly in the veterinary world is zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are infections that can be passed from animals to humans. Whilst there is a lot of press about some of the more exotic diseases from mainland Europe and beyond (such as Brucella canis), there are others that are closer to home. So, can humans get kennel cough?
Let’s explore what kennel cough is and whether humans can catch it from their dogs, or not.
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What is kennel cough?
Infectious tracheobronchitis (‘kennel cough’) is a respiratory infection that affects dogs. It causes inflammation in the dog’s airways which can vary in severity but is usually non-fatal. The symptoms of kennel cough can be caused by a few different bacteria and viruses, but the main culprit is a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica.
The most common symptoms of kennel cough are –
- A retching/hacking cough – many pet owners say that their dog sounds like it has something stuck in its throat
- Bringing up yellow bile or white/clear phlegm
- A sensitive throat – pulling on their collar triggers coughing
- A reduction in appetite
- Sneezing, and possibly a runny nose or eyes
The disease is usually self-limiting, meaning that most dogs will recover by themselves. In some cases, this can take a couple of weeks, however. During this time, your dog will be infectious to other dogs, and your pet should try and avoid too much interaction with others during this time.
While most affected dogs don’t require medication, there are always exceptions. Very young, old or immune-compromised patients may be more likely to develop complications, like pneumonia, and could require antibiotics or anti-inflammatories.
How do dogs catch kennel cough?
Kennel cough can be spread through direct dog-to-dog contact, because of infected nasal secretions or coughing. One thing that many owners don’t realise is that dogs don’t have to be in kennels to catch it. Anytime there is dog-to-dog interaction it could potentially be spread. This could include playing with other dogs in the park, going out with a dog walker or even encountering an infected dog in the vet’s waiting room.
The infection can also be spread via fomites (inanimate items that are contaminated with nasal secretions and saliva). For example, sharing food bowls or toys, or even sniffing and licking the floor where an infected dog could have recently coughed. This means that your dog doesn’t have to directly meet another dog to catch it.
There is of course more risk of kennel cough spreading when you get lots of dogs in one space; such as in boarding kennels, dog shows and doggy daycare, which is where the term ‘kennel cough’ arose from.
How can I protect my dog against kennel cough?
Vaccination can help to protect your dog against kennel cough. In the UK this is often a live vaccine which is given annually. It is generally administered intra-nasally with the vet squirting it gently up your dog’s nose. It can be given at the same time as his other vaccinations, or at a separate time if you prefer.
Vaccinating your pet means that they don’t have to suffer from a preventable illness. Dogs that are vaccinated against this disease will either show no symptoms of kennel cough if they contact it in the future, or they will have a much milder version of the disease than an unvaccinated dog.
Vaccination is advisable for most dogs but is particularly recommended for brachycephalic dogs (breeds with flattened faces and compromised airways such as pugs and bulldogs), young puppies with less developed immune systems or those that have other underlying health conditions.
It is also worth noting that many boarding kennels or dog walkers need your dog to have had the vaccine as part of their terms and conditions. Vaccination can help to prevent outbreaks from occurring in facilities with large numbers of dogs. You may need to check with your kennels what their policy is.
Is kennel cough contagious to humans?
If you have taken your dog for a kennel cough vaccination recently your vet may have had a conversation with you about the vaccine before it was given. In many practices, the live vaccine used is administered into the nostril of your dog to stimulate a local immune response. Because it is a live vaccine, your dog may shed bacteria for several weeks post-vaccination. While this is not an issue for healthy owners, the data sheet recommends that people who are immunocompromised could be at risk.
Owners who are severely immunocompromised and at risk include those who are receiving chemotherapy treatment or who have significant health issues like cystic fibrosis or HIV. The advice for these owners is to stay clear from a dog who has had the kennel cough vaccination for at least 6 weeks. This is obviously impractical for many owners, so they may choose to skip giving the vaccine altogether. But is this the right approach? Not necessarily.
If you are immunocompromised and your dog catches kennel cough from another infected dog then they will shed bacteria, possibly to similar or higher levels and for longer than they would post-vaccination. Bacterial shedding from an episode of kennel cough can last 1 to 3 months, even though your dog may only be actually unwell for a couple of weeks. However, while it is a possibility, reported cases of people catching kennel cough are rare.
Humans and kennel cough
The illness is variable meaning that some dogs may develop quite a severe cough, to the point where they are bringing up bile and phlegm. The cough can interrupt their sleep (as well as yours!) and can make them feel off-colour.
If your dog catches kennel cough, the responsible thing to do is to keep him away from other dogs during this time. This can be a major inconvenience if you are reliant on dog walkers or dog sitters. It also means keeping him on a lead during his daily exercise and sticking to quiet areas, so that you don’t infect others. Vaccination could prevent all of this disruption from happening.
Healthy dogs usually recover ok from this respiratory infection, but some dogs can be more seriously affected. Most owners are fine to interact with their dogs normally during this time.
I am immunocompromised, how do I reduce my risk of catching kennel cough?
First of all, remember that the chances of humans catching kennel cough (even if you are immunocompromised) are pretty low. Bordetella bronchiseptica can be found in the airways of many mammals, without causing symptoms. However, it has been proven to contribute to pneumonia and bronchitis in some cases – namely people with severe underlying disease.
As an immunocompromised owner, it is sensible to take precautions if your dog contracts kennel cough. Keeping your distance from your pet, practising good hygiene and not sleeping in the same room as them will all help. Remember, that it could take several weeks until your dog stops shedding bacteria.
Individuals with very weak immune systems should also avoid regularly mixing with multiple animals, for example volunteering at an animal shelter or boarding kennels, to limit their risk of exposure.
If you want to have your dog vaccinated against kennel cough then it might be worth exploring whether your vet stocks an inactivated form of the kennel cough vaccine (given as a subcutaneous injection), or whether any other vets in your area do. This may help to give you some protection against your dog contracting the illness, reducing the levels of bacteria they shed if they do become infected.
Can kennel cough be transmitted by humans?
Humans can catch Bordetella bronchiseptica, a key infectious organism in kennel cough. However, cases are rare and limited to people who are severely immunocompromised. It is advisable for these individuals to take care around infectious dogs and live vaccines.
So, for most owners, kennel cough shouldn’t be an issue at all. The only time it usually causes problems is if your dog is keeping you up through the night with their cough!! Speak to your vet if you want to find out more about the kennel cough vaccination. If you are immunocompromised then we would always recommend that you speak to your doctor for more advice.
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