Bordetella bronchiseptica
The most common bacterial cause of kennel cough, often spread in crowded canine environments like boarding facilities and daycares.
Dog Condition
Dog Kennel Cough — Expert Online Vet Care
That dry, honking cough often spreads quickly in group settings. Get a same-day video consultation to confirm kennel cough, start appropriate treatment, and protect other pets in your home.
Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
Understanding dog kennel cough
Expert online care for dog kennel cough
Licensed vet assessment of kennel cough via secure video
Same-day appointments — most seen within 1–3 hours
Prescriptions delivered next business day when clinically appropriate
$65 flat fee — no memberships or hidden charges
Your pet stays comfortable at home during the consultation
Expert guidance on when in-person emergency care is needed
Kennel cough produces a distinctive harsh, goose-honk cough that often worsens with excitement or pulling on a collar. Most cases are mild, but puppies, seniors, and brachycephalic breeds can develop pneumonia without timely care.
A TelaVets licensed veterinarian can evaluate your dog's cough pattern, appetite, and energy level on video — often the same day — and determine whether supportive care, prescription cough medication, or antibiotics are appropriate.
Common signs of dog kennel cough we can help with
- Dry, honking cough
- Retching or gagging after coughing
- Nasal discharge
- Mild lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Watery eyes
- Cough worsening with exercise or excitement
What causes dog kennel cough?
Kennel cough spreads through airborne droplets and shared surfaces. Identifying recent exposure helps your vet tailor treatment and isolation guidance.
Canine respiratory viruses
Parainfluenza, adenovirus, and canine influenza can damage airway lining and make dogs susceptible to secondary bacterial infection.
Stress and close contact
Crowding, poor ventilation, and recent travel lower immune defenses and increase transmission between dogs sharing water bowls or play spaces.
How our vets diagnose it online
Most kennel cough diagnoses are clinical — based on history and visible symptoms. Our vets use structured questioning and live video observation to distinguish uncomplicated kennel cough from pneumonia or other causes.
- Review of recent boarding, daycare, grooming, or dog park exposure
- Assessment of cough character — dry honk vs. productive or wet cough
- Evaluation of appetite, energy, and breathing effort on video
- Discussion of vaccination history (Bordetella, DHPP)
- Guidance on when chest X-rays or in-clinic testing is warranted
Treatments we may prescribe
Mild kennel cough often resolves with rest alone. Our vets prescribe medications when cough is severe, appetite drops, or a secondary bacterial infection is suspected.
Doxycycline or amoxicillin-clavulanate for bacterial component
Prescription cough suppressants (e.g., hydrocodone or butorphanol)
Rest and reduced activity until cough resolves
Humidified air and honey for throat soothing (when appropriate)
Isolation from other dogs for 10–14 days
Follow-up assessment if cough persists beyond 2 weeks
Hospitalization referral if breathing becomes labored
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Preventing kennel cough in your dog
Keep Bordetella and core vaccinations current before boarding or daycare
Avoid dog parks and group play while your dog is coughing
Choose facilities with good ventilation and vaccination requirements
Disinfect bowls, leashes, and bedding after exposure
Schedule a pre-boarding wellness check if your dog has chronic respiratory issues
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Stress-Free Home Visits
Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.
Secure & Private
Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
Related resources
Helpful reading and services from the TelaVets team.
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Frequently asked questions about dog kennel cough
Yes. Our licensed vets can assess symptoms of kennel cough via video consultation, review your dog's history, and provide a clinical assessment with a treatment plan.
Treatment depends on severity and cause. Our vets will create a personalised plan which may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or at-home care instructions.
Same-day appointments are usually available. Most pet owners are seen within 1–3 hours of booking.
Yes. If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day, with next-day delivery to your door.
If your dog shows severe distress, inability to breathe, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden collapse, seek emergency in-person care immediately. For other concerning symptoms, an online consultation is an excellent first step.
Get expert help for your dog's kennel cough today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets