Anyone with experience in Kennel Cough in both Canines and Felines?

I need some information. What I want to know is, can a puppy/doggy with Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) pass it on to a cat? I don't understand enough about it. I have mixed information that the bacteria is found in various illnesses that can be infectious to different mamals (inc. humans) but in different sicknesses. On the other hand, isn't Kennel Cough a virus? Can one dog with Kennel Cough pass any infection on to any animal other than a dog? I want to know if that second animal or human would be infected by it or would they just be a carrier? If they are a carrier, how long does it stay in the system for? There are so many different views on the internet and some vets seem to be quite contradictory.

Just for the record, I don't even have a dog, let alone one with Kennel Cough. I will also be asking my own vets who I know and trust but I'll ask in my own time, rather than rudely bombarding them with questions that doesn't relate to the wellbeing of any particular animal I own.

Help would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

As far as I know both cats and dogs can get kennel cough, but I'm not sure if it's the same strain. That being said at the SPCA they treat with with the same medication ( I think called Bordetella) which is a powder, which is mixed with saline and squirted down the nose.

We called it nose candy

 

Thank you.

Bordetella is the name of the bacteria I mentioned that's found in various illnesses. Any idea what the powder actually is though? Is it a precaution or is it like an antibiotic? I know a puppy with kennel cough and he's on antibiotics and steroids.

But yeah, if anyone can help, I still want to know if kennel cough can be passed from dog to cat. Eg, same strain? Thanks again.

 

I'm not sure, it's given to the dogs and cats as they came in regardless if they have it or not. I wonder if it's just dead virus, like a vaccine to prevent it?

 

I thought I'd reply to my own question, just for future reference in case.

Vets currently have different views on the idea that Kennel Cough can or can't be passed from dog to cat and vice versa.

My vets unfortunately were unsure, as are many. It sounds pretty bad and ignorant, but unless they come across real evidence or experience it themselves, all there really is is hearsay. The reason being is that the contamination between canine and feline seems to be a pretty new thing, only in the past decade or so has there apparently been a strain that's catching between different mamals.

Those that say it can be passed on from a dog to a cat generally say it's uncommon but can happen.

So I guess the answer to my question is; Be careful. That's all.

 

I researched this some years ago working at our local animal shelter (yes, a county computer employee working out of his job classification) and discovered that the viral strains between dogs and cats are unrelated, but if one improves their overall health, then they have a better chance of survival and being adopted into a good home.

I had a meeting with the government contracted veterinarian suggesting that we (the county government) add a teaspoon of powdered antibiotics to all the animals food each day at the cost of 2-3 cents per critter, per day.

Of course, my opinion was discounted and dismissed, since the contract veterinarian insisted that viral diseases were unresponsive to antibiotics. I argued with this veterinarian for some time, telling her that I may be a computer analyst, but I have a undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a minor in microbiology, yet she refused to listen.

Nonetheless, being at a pay scale of $36.00 an hour, I simply bought the antibiotic powder with my own money and insisted that it be added to every animals food each day and low and behold, there were far fewer viral illnesses since their immune systems were boosted by the antibiotics and allowed them to better fight off any viral infections.

If only people would realize that life is more important than money, this would be a better world for all living things.

 

All I know is that when my dog got kennel cough, the cat didn't. Then again, neither did the other dog, so who knows? Sorry I'm not more help.