Ack, The Puppy "Rescued From The Pound" We've Been

[lligrd]

sitting for (yes, it is the boss, sit people, good people) gave my dogs Kennel Cough. The person we are watching it for forgot to tell us that she had it. The vet doesn't want to see them unless they get real sick but this coughing (sounds like croup) is driving me nuts. Any recommendations out there?

[lligrd]

1. No Ideas To Stop The Coughing?

No hot tea or homeopathic remedies? Help me, please.

[NMDemDist2]

2. i got nothing

i've had several dogs get kennel cough and it sounds worse than it is

but it does sound awful!

it's a good idea to get them the shots whenever they'll be around strange dogs, but too late now

hang in there....

:pals:

[lligrd]

3. Thanks, My Son Used To Get Croup When He Was Little

and it reminds me of those times. Actually only one that sounds terrible but he does sound awful and I wish I could do something for him.

[Flaxbee]

8. did you also post this in the pets forum?

it doesn't move as fast as the Lounge does and sometimes it takes a while to get a response, but usually whenever you do get a reply it is very good info.

Maybe ask your vet if there is any over-the-counter thing you can offer your dogs to suppress the cough a bit??

Are there any emergency or 24 hour clinics in your area? Sometimes they're good for a bit of advice - if they're not dealing with an immediate crisis, I've found emergency clinic vets often offer really good 'bunker' type advice - stuff to get you through the night with your pet if a trip to the vet isn't medically indicated.

Though I do want to stress that if you do call the emergency vet, make sure they have time to talk -- it can get crazy in 24-hour clinics.

Good luck!

[lligrd]

9. All Great Ideas

and I did think about calling the vet for more advice but thought they would probably be reluctant to give any other than bring them in if you think they need something. They seem to be find except for the cough which seems to bother me more than them. They are eating just fine and have plenty of energy so I guess I will just hold off unless things get worse. Hopefully, the vaporizer will help a bit.

[madeline_con]

4. Human croup is treated with steam.

Do you have a vaporizer? It might help.

This guy says human cough suppressant. http://www.workingdogs.com/deboerken_cough.htm

He has the right-click disabled, or I'd have copied it for you.

[lligrd]

5. Thanks For The Link

I've read similar things on the Internet. Was hoping someone here had firsthand experience sense so many animal lovers end up in the lounge (wonder why that is). Am a bit scared to use the cough syrup but I will try the vaporizer.

[madeline_con]

6. If it's kiddie cough syrup, it's probably safe.

I would give it to my fur baby. :hug:

[lligrd]

7. But Didn't They Just Say It Wasn't Safe For Kids?

The world is so confusing sometimes. I just set up the vaporizer and will see how it does.

[madeline_con]

13. I heard it didn't really do much, but not that it's unsafe.

It may help to soothe throats, though.

[Wcross]

10. I give mine bordetella shots every year.

Bordetella vaccinations for all boarding dogs. This will give some additional protection to your dog(s) against Canine Cough (CC). Now the veterinarians are ...

www.kennelcomfort.com/bordetella_shot.html

[flvegan]

11. If I'm reading this right, my rec is to get another vet.

The puppy has and has transmitted kennel cough, but the vet doesn't want to see treat them?

My recommendation is to find a vet with a fucking clue.

[suninvited]

12. not today....

but it sounded really good

[sleepyhead]

14. Child's dose of Robitussin or other cough syrup

Make sure the only active ingredients are dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and guaifenisin (an expectorant). You can repeat up to 4 times a day. If they are up all night coughing, you need to get something with codeine from your vet. Kennel cough typically lasts about 3 weeks, and the main concern is progression to pneumonia. If they are not eating, or if they have difficulty breathing or cough up a bunch of yuck, your vet will put them on antibiotics. Also try steam (vaporizer) and coupage (cup your hand and gently thump their chest to bring up any lurking phlegm). Keep them away from other dogs so as not to spread it.

[lligrd]

16. Thanks Sleepyhead

Great advice. Seems only one dog really has it. The other one coughed one time and I assumed he had it too but appears he is fine. They do get their vaccinations so I'm not sure why the one caught it. He sounds terrible but is still eating and has plenty of energy. I already am using the vaporizer and am going to try the cough syrup tonight (based on your and other DUers advice). Thanks again.

[sleepyhead]

19. The vaccine, while useful, is not 100% effective.

What we call "kennel cough" is actually caused by a constellation of organisms, only two of which (bordetella and parainfluenza) are used in the vaccine. Those two are the most common and the most virulent causes, but there are others. The vaccine does seem to not only prevent infection in most cases, but also to lessen the severity of disease in dogs that are exposed. That's probably why only one dog got it, and why the other one is not that sick. The vaccine doesn't have a very long duration of immunity, though, and here in NY we are requiring boosters every 6 months. Last year we had quite an epidemic and so everyone is being very strict about keeping up with the vaccines.

[lligrd]

21. I Just Got The Card For Their Annual Shots

I guess I should ask them to start giving the 6 month booster. I just got the cough syrup but am wondering what dose to give a 20 pound dog. Do you have any ides? I will also do a search of the web and see if I can find out. Thanks again for all your help.

I feel so sorry for him. At least he is still eating, doesn't have a fever and his respiration seems normal but the coughing has to be wearing him out.

[lligrd]

24. I Think I Got The Answer To The Dosage

1 teaspoon. Thanks again.

[livetohike]

15. We adopted a puppy five years ago from the pound who

had kennel cough. The vet prescribed Turbogesic - sort of a cough syrup for dogs. Also, she prescribed Interfuron (I think it was because Cindy was eight weeks old and too young for any immunity to have built up).

My suggestion is to find another vet. Kennel cough is very contagious and the dogs will pass it back and forth.

[lligrd]

17. Thanks For Sharing What You Vet Prescribed

I think the reason the vet didn't want to see them unless they got worse is because it is so contagious. Not much they can really do once they have it and they don't want to spread it at the Vet's office. They told me to come in if there were any secondary complications and I am watching closely.

The good news is that only one of the doges really seems to have caught it. The other one coughed the other day and I hysterically thought it had it too but there has been no more coughing from him.

Then the cat coughed yesterday and I panicked thinking she had caught it. I hate it when animals (or people) get sick.

[Adams Wulff]

18. They need to see a vet...

They will all need to be on antibiotics, dosage based on the weight of the dogs.

Mind you, they will ALL get it. My Lab spent Christmas weekend at the pound and came home with Kennel Cough, and proceeded to spread it to our other 2 dogs, and the neighbors dog as well.

Antibiotics, and cough suppressant took care of the problem for us, as soon as all dogs were being treated at once.

Good Luck!

[lligrd]

22. I Would Love To Take Him To The Vet To Ease My Mind But

they don't want to see him unless he has complications. Said it is usually a virus and antibiotics only help if he gets a secondary infection. Everything I have read on the internet supports what they are saying so I will continue to watch him and hope he improves soon. My vet is usually very good so I feel pretty confident in what they say. In fact, they often want to give more treatment than I think is necessary.

[Benfea]

20. Cook them thorougly before eating.

That should remove any trace of the virus.

Meow.

[TankLV]

23. Kennel Cough is real SERIOUS - the dog can DIE from it!

He needs MEDICAL treatment AT ONCE!

It's like pneumonia - it's only called "kennel cough" but it's much much more SERIOUS.

If your vet behaves this way, SEE ANOTHER VET!

My vet would treat AT ONCE.

this is NOT GOOD news.

sorry to alarm you, but this is no "ordinary" illness that can just be treated with home remedies. It's extremely contagious, and can only be treated with MEDICINE!

[Inchworm]

26. FIRE!

lligrd is doing what the vet prescribed. Just trying to eleviate symptoms. That is all we really do when we have a cold, right?

[lligrd]

28. Thanks For Your Concern Tank

I am aware that it can be serious and am watching him closely. But he is showing only the classic symptoms and no complications so far. The vet said they would see him at once if he developed any other signs. It is so contagious that I would hate to put the other dogs at the vet's office at risk unless it was absolutely necessary so I agree with the vet.

[Inchworm]

25. Call vet in AM and let him/her know what you gave them

Annoying cough sounds like a complication. If the vet is any good he'll/she'll say something like.. make is 3 teaspoons of that stuff every three hours.

Just sayin let the vet who told you not to bring critters in what's goin on.

:hi:

[lligrd]

27. I Will. He Really Seems Fine Aside From The Awful

cough which acts up when he gets excited. He is an extremely energetic and playful dog so it is hard to get him to settle down. He is not coughing anything up. It is just a dry horrid sounding cough. The cough syrup and chicken soup already seem to have done a good job. I am not taking this lightly and am watching carefully.

My son used to get croup when he was younger and it seems quite similar. And so does the treatment. If he is not improving at the appropriate time (think it should seem a bit better in a week) or seems to be having any other problems I will take him to the vet immediately.

[Inchworm]

29. I know nothing about this

but I am around strays and mistreated critters a lot, so it's kind of always in my head what I'd do if I brought some crap home.

My vet is a real butthead with humans, but he does do magic with dogs I know for sure. I had a chow that was tore up from a fight. He had never been to a vet under stress like that nor been on a leash and was very mean defensively.

They practically cleared the waiting room 'cause we were coming. I called ahead because I was scared.

The Vet just kinda bing-banged and the chow was in the table with a thermometer in his butt in about 20 seconds. The guy isnt very personable towards people, but he has a gift with critters.

He does "home remedies" too.

Keep your Vet informed. My guess is he/she knows what they are doin :P

:hug:

[lligrd]

30. Thanks Again Inchworm

I probably should have known better. The puppy belongs to my son's girlfriend. I knew the puppy came from the shelter but they had been so careful with it (making her bring her dogs to the shelter to make sure that they got along well and all) that it never crossed my mind.

Of course my son knew the puppy had it but it never crossed his mind that it was contagious. (Funny since he is at the age where they know everything.) Speaking of the puppy, it is here right now. It is so cute and growing fast. It is here so often that it feels like they are splitting custody of it. I wonder who will end up with the dog if they break up?

[Inchworm]

31. " I wonder who will end up with the dog if they break up?"

lololol

The Humane Society! :P

I kid hehe

:silly:

[lligrd]

32. Never!!

I could never let that happen. I am already too attached to her. But you knew that.

[Inchworm]

33. How did everything work out?

Did the vet say anything up or down on what you did?

I'm just curious in case it ever happens to me.

G'mornin, btw :)

:hi: