kennel cough
Medium-low frequency. Common among dog owners, veterinarians, and in pet care contexts, but not in general everyday conversation.Informal to neutral, technical within veterinary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
An infectious respiratory disease in dogs, characterized by a harsh, hacking cough.
While primarily referring to canine disease, the term is sometimes used metaphorically to describe any persistent, annoying cough in humans or other animals, though this is informal.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always used as a singular noun phrase. The 'kennel' refers to the typical place where the disease spreads easily (boarding kennels, shelters). It is a layperson's term; the formal veterinary term is 'canine infectious tracheobronchitis'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, clinical connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in the UK due to perhaps greater cultural emphasis on boarding dogs in kennels during holidays. In the US, 'doggy daycare' might be a more common term for similar facilities, but 'kennel cough' remains the standard term for the illness.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The dog HAS kennel cough.The kennel HAD an outbreak of kennel cough.Vets RECOMMEND the vaccine for kennel cough.Kennel cough SPREADS quickly.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Informally, 'sounding like a kennel cough sufferer' might describe a bad human cough.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in the pet care industry (kennels, vet clinics, pet insurance).
Academic
Used in veterinary medicine and animal science papers.
Everyday
Used by dog owners discussing their pet's health.
Technical
The formal term 'canine infectious tracheobronchitis' is preferred in technical writing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The puppy is coughing because it kennel-coughed last week. (informal, rare as verb)
- Several dogs in the shelter have been kennel-coughing. (informal, rare)
American English
- Our dog might have kennel coughed after his stay at the daycare. (informal, rare as verb)
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The kennel-cough vaccine is essential for boarding.
- We're dealing with a kennel-cough outbreak.
American English
- She works on a kennel-cough research study.
- The vet diagnosed a kennel-cough infection.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My dog has kennel cough.
- The vet gave medicine for kennel cough.
- Before boarding your dog, make sure its kennel cough vaccination is up to date.
- Kennel cough is very contagious among dogs.
- The characteristic honking sound is a telltale sign of kennel cough.
- Despite its name, a dog can contract kennel cough anywhere dogs congregate, not just in kennels.
- The pathogenesis of kennel cough often involves a primary viral infection, such as canine parainfluenza, followed by a secondary bacterial invasion like Bordetella bronchiseptica.
- Management of a kennel cough outbreak involves isolation of affected animals, rigorous disinfection protocols, and prophylactic treatment of at-risk individuals.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a noisy KENNEL where all the dogs are COUGHing.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLNESS IS AN INVADER (the virus/bacteria invades the respiratory tract). PLACE FOR DISEASE (the kennel as the source/typical location).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'kennel' as 'конура' (doghouse) in this context. It refers to a boarding facility ('гончий питомник' or simply 'питомник'). The direct translation 'кашель питомника' is not used. The standard Russian term is 'вольерный кашель' or the formal 'инфекционный трахеобронхит собак'.
Common Mistakes
- Calling it 'kennel's cough' (incorrect apostrophe).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a kennel cough' is awkward; better 'a case of kennel cough').
- Applying it to cats (it is specifically canine).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the term 'kennel cough'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is extremely rare and not a standard concern. The primary bacteria (Bordetella bronchiseptica) can infect immunocompromised humans, but it is primarily a disease of dogs.
Typically, it is a mild, self-limiting disease in healthy adult dogs. However, it can lead to severe pneumonia in puppies, elderly dogs, or those with compromised immune systems.
Treatment is often supportive: rest, hydration, and sometimes cough suppressants or antibiotics if a secondary bacterial infection is confirmed.
Vaccination is the primary prevention method, available as an injectable or intranasal vaccine. Avoiding contact with infected dogs and maintaining good kennel hygiene are also important.