PetKennel cough (canine infectious tracheobronchitis) is a contagious upper respiratory infection that spreads easily in dog-dense environments — boarding kennels, daycares, dog parks, grooming salons. Most healthy adult dogs recover with minimal treatment.
What it costs in Canada
| Scenario | Typical cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Vet exam | Standard appointment fee |
| Cough suppressant | Low |
| Antibiotics (if bacterial component) | Low |
| Anti-inflammatories | Low |
| Typical uncomplicated case total | One of the lowest treatable-illness bills |
| Chest X-rays (if worsening) | Moderate |
| Severe case progressing to pneumonia | Hospitalization-level cost |
| Bordetella vaccine (prevention) | Very low — annual or bi-annual |
Most boarding facilities, daycares, and groomers require the Bordetella vaccine — get it scheduled if your dog regularly socializes in those settings. The vaccine itself isn't covered by base insurance but is included in wellness add-ons.
With insurance vs paying out of pocket
| Scenario | You pay | Insurer pays |
|---|---|---|
| No insurance | Full bill — usually modest | $0 |
| Comprehensive policy | Often the full bill — doesn't always hit annual deductible | Reimburses your share if bill exceeds deductible |
| Comprehensive + wellness add-on | Wellness covers the preventive Bordetella vaccine; comprehensive covers treatment if it does occur | Both portions help |
Does kennel cough treatment cost vary by city?
Barely. Kennel cough is one of the cheapest, most routine things a vet treats — an exam, sometimes a cough suppressant or antibiotics, and rest — and any general-practice clinic handles it, so a $50–$300 episode doesn't move much by location. Major-metro clinics (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal) sit a little higher on the exam fee; smaller markets a little lower, and that's about the whole story.
The only time the cost climbs is if a case progresses to pneumonia and needs X-rays or hospitalization — and there the drivers are the same as any serious illness (level of care and length of stay), not which city you're in. For the typical uncomplicated case, expect a similar modest bill wherever you are in Canada.
Considering insurance?
Kennel cough isn't the case that makes pet insurance worthwhile — but the same comprehensive policy that pays out little here will save you on the next ear infection, allergy flare-up, or accident. Compare Canadian insurers.