A common, highly contagious respiratory disease of dogs, also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis. Several different bacteria and viruses are usually associated with the disease. Symptoms are generally mild but may vary widely depending on the agent, the host, and environmental factors. The main feature of the disease is sudden onset of violent coughing in dogs that had a recent exposure to other (infected) dogs. The disease is easily transmitted between dogs by droplets in the air or direct contact and often occurs as outbreaks or as a seasonal infection. Most dogs completely recover within 2 weeks; however, chronic and severe forms of the disease sometimes occur.