09/25/2025
Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), “Kennel Cough”
What are the signs of CIRDC?
The classic sign of CIRDC is a frequent, honking cough that comes on suddenly. This cough has also been described as gagging or retching, and it can involve froth that looks like vomit. Coughing generally worsens with activity or exercise, which can irritate the airways.
Even so, not all dogs with CIRDC will have a cough. Other common signs include sneezing and a runny nose or eyes.
In most cases of CIRDC, the illness is mild and dogs fully recover within 7 to 10 days. However, depending on the infecting organism(s) and the dog's ability to fight them, some dogs may develop more severe signs like lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, productive cough, and rapid or labored breathing, which can signal that bacteria have infected the lungs (bacterial pneumonia) and immediate veterinary attention is needed.
How is CIRDC spread?
Most dogs with CIRDC are contagious before they start showing signs. Because of this, the disease can be difficult to control. It can spread rapidly, leading to outbreaks—particularly in multiple-dog settings. Some CIRDC-associated organisms are also quite hardy, able to survive in the environment for weeks, making controlling spread of infection even more challenging.
Dogs can catch CIRDC through close or direct contact (e.g., licking or nuzzling) with infected dogs, breathing in cough or sneeze droplets from infected dogs, and exposure to droplet-contaminated items such as toys, bedding, people's hands, or water bowls. The risk of infection is especially high when dogs are in close contact with other infected dogs for long periods of time.
If you suspect your dog has CIRDC, it is important to stop the disease from spreading by keeping the dog away from other dogs until fully recovered.
The best way to protect your dog against CIRDC is to keep their vaccines current. Vaccines not only reduce the chance of your dog becoming ill, they also make your dog less likely to develop severe disease or spread the infection to other dogs. This is why many facilities and events where dogs are routinely gathered, such as dog shows, training centers, and boarding facilities, require that dogs have certain vaccines.
Standard (or "core") canine vaccines are highly effective against some CIRDC-associated viruses and are recommended for all dogs. For optimal protection against common respiratory infections, an annual intranasal vaccine against Bordetella, canine adenovirus type 2, and canine parainfluenza is recommended for dogs of certain at-risk groups, including those whose lifestyles expose them to multiple-dog settings. Where canine influenza is known to be circulating, an injectable canine influenza vaccine also is recommended. Your veterinarian will help you decide which vaccines your dog needs to stay healthy as possible.
