Kennel cough in dogs

Kennel cough or canine infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB) is a well known disease in dogs and is easily recognized. THe diagnosis is usually made based on characteristic clinical signs, without any further laboratory diagnostics to establish the etiological agent. Therefore, the knowledge about which viruses and bacteria that cause disease outbreaks in Sweden is limited.

ITB is a disease complex and can be caused by several viruses (e.g. canine parainfluenzavirus (CPIV), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) and canine herpesvirus (CHV)) and bacteria (mainly Bordetella bronchiseptica), either as a single infection or as co-infections. Other viruses and bacteria than the above mentioned have also been considered as a cause of ITB. Studies have shown that the etiological diagnosis can only be identified in around 30% of the cases. Hence, hitherto unknown viruses could also be a cause of ITB.

This project aims to give important information about the viral and bacterial agents involved in disease outbreaks of ITB in Sweden. This information is important for disease prevention and control, and for giving adequate advice to veterinary clinicians and dog owners to prevent spread of disease at outbreaks.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/124264491076364/

Financier: Agrias och SKKs forskningsfond, Svelands stiftelse för djurens hälsa och livskvalité, MSD Animal Health och Jan Skogsborgs fond.
Co-applicant: Bodil Ström Holst, Anne-Lie Blomström, Anna Lindhe och Elisabeth Bagge
Collaborator: SVA, Djursjukhuset Albano, Regiondjursjukhuset i Helsingborg, Västra Djursjukhuset, Veterinärmottagningen Kusthöjden.