Dogs with kennel cough rarely die, but if they do, then specific diagnosis may be achieved in some cases at post-mortem examination.

• CDV - characteristic histopathological changes and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in lymphoid and epithelial tissues;
• CAV - basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in respiratory epithelium
• CHV - eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in respiratory epithelium

In B. bronchiseptica infection many organisms may be seen overlying the ciliated tracheobronchial epithelium.However, in the absence of specific findings, histopathological diagnosis is difficult.

In some laboratories immunofluorescence for particular viral antigens is undertaken.



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