You had your dog spend the weekend with friends. Now it has a deep raspy cough that sounds like bronchitis. Unfortunately, it probably actually has kennel cough, which is a highly contagious virus that can be passed from dog to dog, especially when they aren't vaccinated against it. The first thing you should do is take your dog to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. In addition to the medical care that your vet will provide, here are four things you can do to help your dog recover from kennel cough.

Provide Gentle Movement

If your dog has kennel cough, gentle movement can help loosen the congestion so it can breathe easier. Take your dog outside for a few minutes of exercise each day. Try to avoid using choke chains or anything else that might constrict its throat while it's recovering from the cough. It's important to remember that kennel cough is highly contagious, so keep your dog in your own yard for exercise.

Resort to Isolation

As stated earlier, kennel cough is extremely contagious. While your dog has an active case of kennel cough, it's important that you keep it away from other dogs. Since the virus can't be passed to humans or cats, you and your feline friends aren't in danger of contracting the disease.

Moisturize the Air

Kennel cough can cause a raspy, uncontrollable cough. While your dog has the cough, its lungs and throat can dry out. You can help your dog breathe easier by using a humidifier in the room where your dog will be isolated. Be sure to use a cool mist humidifier for maximum benefits.

Reach for the Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has natural antiviral benefits. Kennel cough is caused by the Bordetella virus. If your dog has contracted the virus, you can help soothe the cough by giving it a daily dose of coconut oil. Coconut oil is a natural virus fighter that will alleviate the cough and help your dog's lungs clear faster. Simply drizzle 2 – 3 teaspoons of coconut oil over your dog's food once a day until the cough is cured.

If your dog has come down with kennel cough, you want to get treatment for it as soon as possible. With proper treatment, your dog can make a complete recovery. The information provided above will help you keep your dog comfortable while it recovers. Once your dog has recovered from the virus, you'll need to have it vaccinated against the Bordetella virus. The vaccination will prevent your dog from contracting the virus again. Contact a local pet hospital for more information.