Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis

Canine Infecious tracheobronchitis

Also known as:

Kennel Cough Canine respiratory disease complex

Description

A highly contagious acute respiratory disease spread by close conatct causing larngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and in some cases a rhinitis. Multiple agents are implicated in the disease includingCanine Adenovirus 2,Canine herpes virus,Canine Parainfluenza - 2,Canine Distemper Virus, Mycoplasma and Bordetella bronchoseptica. Very common disease in dogs that are housed in groups.

Signalment

Affects dogs of all ages.

History and Clinical Signs

Often a history of exposure to other dogs at either rehoming centers, bording kennels, in a hospital etc. Direct contact or aerosol spread are the most common routes of infection. Clinical signs develop 3-5 days after exposure. Signs are often mild and self limiting. Afected dogs usually have a dry hacking cough which is likely to be exacerbated on exercise or excitement. Sometimes serous nasal discharge, fever and lymphadenopathy are present. The clinical signs typically persist for 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks.

Systemic signsare likely to indicate the development of bronchopneumonia, signs include pyrexia, inappetance and depression. Systemic disease is more likely to occur in young or immunocompromised animals. This condition is usually a result of secondary infection with pasturella and streptococci bacteria.

Diagnosis is most often made on clinical signs and physical exam ruling out other causes of the cough.

Radiography

Thoracic radiography and ultrasound are often unremarkable.

Endoscopy

Tracheal cytology may reveal inreased numbers or neutrophils and bacteria.

Treatment

Uncomplicated cases often do no require treatment. Antibiotic treatment is indicated if the animal is showing signs of systemic illness or if there is bronchiole involvement. Antitussives and bronchodilators. Nebulistion can be useful to help loosen bronchial and tracheal secretions.

Prognosis

Good, generally self limiting.

References

Ettinger, S.J, Feldman, E.C. (2005) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (6th edition, volume 2)

Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial

• Synonyms: Kennel cough, Infectious tracheobronchitis
• tracheitis, bronchitis
• Multiple agents implicated:

• Symptoms are of a persistent, non-productive cough
• Persistent tracheobronchial inflammation
• The outcomes is generally recovery (may persist >3 weeks), but extension to chronic bronchitis or cranioventral bronchopneumonia may occur
• In severe cases can extend to serous/mucopurulent rhinitis
• Lesions are neither specific nor always significant (catarrhal / mucopurulent tracheobronchitis)
• Enlarged tonsils and retropharyngeal lymph nodes

• B. bronchiseptica acts as a primary pathogen in Infectious canine tracheitis
• Frequently isolated from dogs with respiratory disease
• Often found with viruses or mycoplasma
• Adheres to ciliated epithelial cells in the trachea
• Colonisation and proliferation in trachea
• Releases toxins causing epithelial necrosis and prevents ciliary clearance
• Irritation to tract causes coughing
• Mortality rates low
• Peribronchial inflammation and bronchopneumonia

can result in unvaccinated puppies or immunosuppressed dogs

• Severe pneumonia following secondary infection e.g. with Streptococci
• Fatal bronchopneumonia if occurs secondary to canine distemper virus
• Transmission via respiratory secretions by direct contact or aerosol and on fomites
• Clinical signs:
  • Develop within 3-4 days; persist for up to 2 weeks
  • Coughing
  • Gagging
  • Mild serous oculonasal discharge
• Treatments includes antibiotics if coughing persists or bronchopneumonia develops
• Live intranasal vaccines
• Also found in respiratory tract of cats; can cause pneumonia in kittens; vaccine available