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How is Kennel Cough Prevented?
Bad Breath —
Many dogs, exposed to all sorts and numbers of other dogs, will never
experience the effects of Canine Cough. Some dog owners, though, More Than Poor Dental Hygiene
prefer to take advantage of the current vaccines available that are
quite effective in preventing the disease. Usually these dog owners By Anna Burke
will have to board, show, field trial, or otherwise expose their dog to
populations of other canines. Dogs are known for having breath that ranges from less-than-fresh
to downright nasty. Bad breath can be a sign of dental or periodontal
Since the chances of exposure and subsequent infection rise as the disease. Sometimes, however, bad breath can be a sign of something
dog comes in close proximity with other dogs, the decision to vac- more serious than a snack from the cat box or poor dental hygiene.
cinate or not to vaccinate varies with each individual circumstance.
Generally, if your dog is not boarded or going to field trials or dog Diabetes
shows, you may not have a high level of need for vaccinating your dog Sweet, fruity breath might sound like an improvement, but sweet-
against Kennel Cough. smelling breath is a common symptom of diabetes. Some can easily
smell this symptom, while others cannot. Diabetes is a serious condi-
Conversely, if you plan to board your dog, or protect it from exposure, tion that requires careful monitoring and regular treatment. The sweet
remember to vaccinate a few weeks prior to potential exposure to al- smell is a result of ketoacidosis, which is a serious, potentially life-
low full protective immunity to build up. threatening complication of diabetes.

If your dog happens to acquire Kennel Cough, it will then have some Kidney Disease
immunity to subsequent exposures. The length of time these natural If your dog’s breath smells like urine, it is probably not because she
exposures and the vaccinations will produce protective immunity will has been drinking pee. Kidney disease can cause your dog’s breath to
vary greatly. How often to vaccinate seems to have a subjective and smell like urine, and this serious condition requires a speedy diagnosis
elusive answer. for the best prognosis. Keep an eye out for other symptoms of kidney
disease in dogs, like lethargy, loss of appetite, and increases in drink-
Be aware that vaccinating with just the commercial Kennel Cough vac- ing or urination.
cine alone (contains only the Bordetella agent) may not be fully pro-
tective because of the other infectious agents that are involved with Liver Disease
producing the disease. Some of the other agents such as Parainfluenza Liver disease can lead to an unusually foul odor, which is distinctly
and Adenovirus are part of the routine multivalent vaccinations gener- different from the bad breath associated with periodontal disease.
ally given yearly to dogs. Dogs with liver disease usually present with other symptoms, such as
vomiting, yellowing of the corneas and gum (jaundice), and a lack of
The intra-nasal Bordetella vaccine may produce immunity slightly appetite. Liver disease is a serious condition and requires immediate
faster than the injectable vaccine if the dog has never been previously veterinary intervention.
vaccinated for Kennel Cough.
Gastrointestinal Disease
It is generally assumed that the intranasal route of inoculation works
the fastest in getting protective levels of immunity established. How- Some gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammation of the throat,
enlargement of the esophageal tube (megaesophagus), infections, or
ever, studies have indicated that in dogs that have been previously even cancer can cause bad breath. Observe your dog for other signs
immunized by either the intranasal or injectable route and that have of gastrointestinal discomfort, like vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in
some level of immunity already present, vaccination by the injectable
route actually boosts immunity faster than the intranasal route. appetite, and contact your veterinarian.
Eating Habits
When the injectable vaccine is given as an annual booster (to boost
any immune levels already present) the maximum effects of the vac- Consuming garbage, feces, or carrion is not only disgusting, it also
cine will be achieved five days after the vaccination. puts your dog at risk of intestinal blockages and diseases. If your dog’s
breath smells like he has found his way into the trash, is consuming
So when should the intranasal route be utilized? Some veterinarians feces from wildlife, or has come across a dead animal, do your best to
suggest that it be used only in unvaccinated dogs and in young pups limit his access to the substance to avoid putting him at further risk.
receiving their first vaccination. In these unvaccinated animals the
first immunization would be via the intranasal route and then two Rhinitis and Sinusitis
additional inoculations by the injectable route are given. Then yearly Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract can also cause bad breath.
injectable inoculations are given to enhance the protective levels of There are a wide range of causes of rhinitis and sinusitis, including
immunity. infection, parasites, tumors, and foreign bodies. Other symptoms may
include nasal discharge, labored breathing, sneezing, and inflamma-
Reprinted with Permission 2018 tion of the conjunctiva (the membrane surrounding the eyes).
www.petmd.com
Bad breath may seem like one of those things that dog owners just
have to deal with, but in some cases, your dog’s bad breath could be
a sign of a much more serious problem. Contact your veterinarian
if your dog develops acute or chronic bad breath, and observe him
closely for signs of other symptoms.
Reprinted with Permission 2018
www.akc.org

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