Dog Kennel Cough Treatment in San Jose — ARCH Veterinary
Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC, the umbrella term for 'kennel cough') is highly contagious and spreads quickly through daycares, dog parks, boarding facilities, and grooming salons. ARCH Veterinary offers same-day exams, cough management, and Bordetella, parainfluenza, and canine influenza vaccinations.
What kennel cough looks like
A loud, honking, gagging cough that often sounds like the dog has something stuck in the throat. Most dogs eat and act normal otherwise. Severe cases progress to nasal discharge, fever, decreased appetite, and pneumonia.
How it spreads
Bordetella bronchiseptica, parainfluenza, canine adenovirus, mycoplasma, and canine influenza are all spread through respiratory droplets and shared surfaces. Daycare, boarding, dog parks, grooming, and shows are the highest-risk environments. Incubation is usually 2–10 days.
Treatment
Mild cases resolve on their own in 1–2 weeks with rest, hydration, and harnesses (not collars) to avoid tracheal irritation. Moderate cases benefit from cough suppressants, anti-inflammatories, and sometimes antibiotics if a bacterial component is suspected. Severe cases need chest X-rays and treatment for pneumonia.
Prevention
Bordetella vaccine (oral, intranasal, or injectable), parainfluenza (in DA2PP), and canine influenza H3N2/H3N8 vaccines are all available. We tailor protocols to your dog's exposure level. Most boarding and daycare facilities require Bordetella every 6–12 months.
When to come in
If the cough persists beyond 7–10 days, your dog stops eating, develops yellow or green nasal discharge, breathes heavily at rest, or has a fever — come in. Puppies, seniors, and brachycephalic breeds need closer monitoring.
Advanced veterinary care in San Jose
ARCH Veterinary provides advanced care for pets across San Jose and the surrounding South Bay, with urgent care, emergency medicine, surgery, CT imaging, ultrasound, and hospitalization all under one roof. Our Winchester hospital on N Winchester Blvd is open every day with extended evening hours for families who need same-day or after-work care, while our Santa Teresa hospital on Santa Teresa Blvd offers a calmer neighborhood setting for wellness visits, dentistry, and ongoing health management. Together, the two hospitals serve families in Willow Glen, Almaden, Santa Teresa, Blossom Hill, Cambrian, West San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, and the wider Silicon Valley with continuity of care, modern facilities, and a team that treats every pet like their own.
Frequently asked questions
How long does kennel cough last?
Mild cases resolve in 1–2 weeks; severe cases that progress to pneumonia take longer and need treatment.
Is kennel cough contagious to humans?
Very rarely. Bordetella can occasionally infect immunocompromised people but it's uncommon.
When can my dog return to daycare?
Wait at least 1 week after the cough resolves and your vet clears them — they can still shed virus while recovering.
Does the Bordetella vaccine prevent it completely?
It reduces severity and duration but doesn't guarantee prevention since CIRDC involves multiple pathogens.