Vets Seeing Uptick In Kennel Cough Among Chicago Area Dogs

(CBS) -- Veterinarians citywide say they've seen a spike in kennel cough cases and one or two boarding facilities may be the source.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov has more on what the sickness is and what pet owners should know.

Dr. Donna Solomon says many of the pooches she's seen this month have come in with infectious trachea bronchitis, known as kennel cough.

"We have seen, in the last 7 to 8 days, probably three or four cases, which is very unusual," she said.

Typically, Solomon sees one kennel cough case a month this time of year. She says all it takes is an outbreak at a doggie daycare and the highly contagious illness will spread.

"So the presentation that dog will be like a dry hacking cough," Dr. Solomon said. "Most of my clients will call me and say, "Oh my gosh I think my dog swallowed a bone' that is what is sounds like."

Besides a cough, vets say dogs may seem lethargic or achy. If untreated, some cases could develop into pneumonia. Dr. Solomon says she often gives cough suppressants to dogs with mild cases. More severe cases require antibiotics.

"95 percent of the time, in two to four days your dog will be back to its happy self," said Dr. Solomon.

Penny's owner, Devin Schuyler, gets that firsthand.

"She had kennel cough, it was a pretty bad case, actually," Schuyler said.

But Schuyler says penny is just fine now. Still, she believes dog owners should be aware.

Dr. Solomon says dogs diagnosed with kennel cough should be kept away from other canines for two or three weeks. She also recommends keeping dogs out of facilities with outbreaks for at least a month.

Humans can get it but it usually only occurs with young children or those who are immuno-compromised.