Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis

Canine Infecious tracheobronchitis

Also known as:

Kennel Cough Canine respiratory disease complex

Description

A highly contagious acute respiratory disease causing larngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis. Multiple agents are implicated in the disease includingCanine Adenovirus 2,Canine herpes virusCanine Parainfluenza - 2,Canine Distemper Virus, Mycoplasma and Bordetella bronchoseptica.

Signalment

Affects dogs of all ages. Most commonly occurs where groups of dogs of different ages mix.

History and Clinical Signs

There is almost always a history of exposure to other dogs at either shows, kennels or in a hospital. Clinical signs develop 3-5 days after exposure.

References

• 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