What is the ideal initial treatment for a dog diagnosed with kennel cough?

The ideal initial treatment for a dog diagnosed with kennel cough is rest and supportive care. This approach focuses on allowing the dog's immune system to combat the infection naturally while ensuring they are comfortable and well-hydrated. Rest is vital in helping the animal recover, as physical activity can exacerbate coughing and extend the duration of illness.

Supportive care may include providing a humid environment to soothe the airways, ensuring adequate nutrition, and monitoring hydration. This treatment strategy helps manage symptoms and supports the animal's overall health, making it the most appropriate initial response to kennel cough, which is typically a self-limiting condition.

Choosing other options like corticosteroids, antibiotics, or antiviral medications is not usually warranted as an initial treatment. Corticosteroids could suppress the immune response, potentially prolonging the illness, while antibiotics are not effective against the viral causes of kennel cough. Antiviral medications are generally not indicated for this condition either. Hence, rest and supportive care remain the cornerstone of managing kennel cough effectively.