Anyone ever have a dog with Kennel Cough?

[Delarage]

I have a Yellow Lab (about 8 years old) who went swimming with a bunch of other dogs at a local park last Sunday. They occasionally picked up each other's toys. On Wednesday morning, she let out an unusual cough (like something was stuck in her throat; I was worried because she had ripped a bread bag into a million pieces on Tuesday evening to get the bread). I had to go to work, but when I got home the cough was worse. It's a deep cough, after which she kind of retches. She still wants to play and run around, but it seems to aggravate the cough. I took her to my vet and he listened to her lungs, which seemed clear. He then looked into her mouth/throat. Blood tests revealed a slight anemia.

His diagnosis: Laryngitis. Not sure about the anemia. If connected, possible tumor in lung.

Needless to say, a dog who runs 3-4 miles and swims routinely getting a cough one day and a potentially dire diagnosis that same day caused me to break out into a sweat and I almost passed out right there.

I have since talked to friends who have said that he should have done an X-ray and jumped the gun talking about tumors. Research on the internet leads me to suspect Kennel Cough, but he never mentioned it as a possibility (despite prescribing cough suppressants and antibiotics, the latter in case the anemia was due to an infection).

I am taking her to a board-certified internist on Monday (if I can get an appointment) for a second look. Her appetite is good and she seems alert, but I think the coughing is tiring us both out (we were up and down all night). She's still playing with her toys.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm freaking out.

[skygazer]

1. Kennel cough certainly seems like a possibility

Especially with the activities that you list. I think you're wise to follow up on it and I hope you get a firm diagnosis soon and that your pup feels better.

I'm going to assume that she's been on heartworm meds and has had regular heartworm checks - heartworm can cause a deep cough as well.

I've never dealt with kennel cough myself but I worked for several years in dog kennels and it's certainly something that comes to mind when you have contact with strange dogs.

[tnlefty]

2. Yes, a cocker spaniel puppy years ago. The cough sounds

strange. Along with meds prescribed by the vet I had to take her into the bathroom, close the door, turn on a hot shower, really steam the bathroom up and when she began to cough I had to firmly pat on her ribs to help loosen up what she was trying to cough up to make it easier for her to do so. There is a French word for the firm patting, which I can't recall at the moment.

I had to do this many times during a 24 hr. period. If this is something that you think would help I would also get some of the baby bath that has additives in it to help loosen up chest congestion while steaming up the bathroom.

Good luck.

[amandae]

3. I don't know much about it, but I know Kennel Cough is very contagious

and also curable. It's a good thing that you're taking your dog to get a second opinion. As I said, I don't know much about it, but it sounds like what it may be. Especially if she's still playing with toys and otherwise fine.

Kind of related, we have two puppies and when my daughter developed a cough a month ago I knew it was probably from the spring pollen/allergies so when she was talking about the cough repeatedly I told her that it was probably kennel cough and that she probably got it from the dogs. My mom was staying with us at the time and I told her to talk to my mom about how to get rid of it since she had more dogs than I've had over the years. When my daughter went to school that day and had a coughing fit, she told the teacher that her mommy said it was just kennel cough and she probably got it from the dogs. LOL, the teacher was trying not to laugh! She told the nurse the same thing and the nurse and one of the office secretaries started laughing, too. Out of the mouths of babes!

I hope that your doggy feels better! Please let us know what the second doctor says.

[Nite Owl]

4. I did have a dog that had

kennel cough and it sounds horrendous! It's a 'doggie cold'. Vet said Robutussin for the cough but this was quite a while ago so maybe they have something else now. It is self limiting and should go away if that is what it is, like a cold with humans. It's so hard with a dog since they can't tell you what they are feeling. He should be getting better soon if it is kennel cough, a week or two.

[Delarage]

5. Thanks for the responses

I am seriously beside myself. I'm watching the clock tick so Monday comes so I can take my "baby" to the specialist.

[welshTerrier2]

6. check this out ...

www.vetinfo.com/dkcough.html

sounds like it's probably kennel cough as you surmised ... this vet seems to think that no real treatment is needed ... anti-biotics can be prescribed but aren't usually necessary ... and the Robitussin DM cough syrup sounds like a good recommendation ...

good dog owners are worth their weight in gold ... let us know how your pup makes out ...