If you suspect that your dog could have kennel cough, likely because it's been coughing heavily, acting lethargic, and perhaps also experiencing nasal discharge, you'll want to schedule an appointment to have a veterinarian look at the animal. Kennel cough is an uncomfortable infection for your pet to deal with, so professional care is always a good idea. A veterinarian will often be able to surmise that your pet has this condition simply because of its symptoms, and can then begin to discuss what treatment options can help. Here are some treatments that the vet will likely proceed with. 

Antibiotics

As is often the case for a multitude of pet ailments, antibiotics can help when a dog has kennel cough. There are various types of antibiotics that can be effective, and your veterinarian will choose the specific drug based on the severity of your dog's kennel cough symptoms. Antibiotics will help to get rid of the harmful bacteria that are contributing to your pet's illness. You can expect to get a package of pills that you should administer regularly, keeping an eye on the symptoms as the days pass. Before long, you should see a noticeable improvement in your dog's health.

Cough Medicine

When humans have a particularly serious cough, their doctor will often recommend using cough medicine. While it might come as a surprise, specialized canine cough medicine can also help a dog that is suffering from a serious bout of kennel cough. Your veterinarian may recommend a specific type of cough medicine that helps to suppress the dog's coughing. The less the animal coughs, the faster its throat will be able to heal from irritation. As a pet owner, you'll also appreciate it if your dog isn't coughing as much — particularly if the coughing bouts have woken you up at night.

Rest

It might sound simple, but rest is another vital part of the treatment process for a dog that has been suffering from kennel cough. If the dog were to exercise vigorously while dealing with this condition, it may start to cough, triggering a lengthy coughing bout that can cause more irritation to a throat that is already sore. Your veterinarian will advise how much rest your pet needs. This generally means that you'll want to avoid long walks and certainly stay away from crowded areas such as dog parks. Together, these three treatment approaches can help your dog to get over its kennel cough.

Speak to a veterinarian today to learn more.