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CTYorkie · 02-17-2006, 01:32 PM

Hi all,

We've only had our Yorkie for a week. He is 13.5 wks old and weighs 2.7lbs. Two days after we got him, we took him to a vet for a checkup & were told he had a mild case of kennel cough & that it would resolve on its own. He was not concerned about collapsing trachea. On Wednesday, Buddy was worse so we took him to a different vet for a 2nd opinion. She put him on zithromax and told us to call back in a week. She was not concerned about collapsing trachea either. He's been on the med for 3 doses.

It is nerve-wracking to watch him coughing/hacking, sneezing so much - sometimes it is quite scary (for him & us!!!) to see the gagging. His nose is runny but clear. He doesn't want to eat puppy food (never was too fond of it) or even moist dog food. The 2nd vet said not to give him human food but I tried some chicken broth with rice & he refused that too. If I break up a soft chewie and leave it on the floor, he'll scavenge it and eat it up... I give NutriCal just to make sure he gets some calories. He's had a bm every day, today they're a little green - prob. from the med. He dislikes drinking from a bowl and the water seems to trigger a coughing fit so he's not drinking so much. He's gone at least a couple times a day that we could see...

I'm beside myself. I'm so freaked out that it might be more serious like the trachea thing. Also, my dd could not be immunized against pertusiss bc of an allergic reaction to the vaccine...having just read that kennel cough is related to whooping cough, I'm wondering if the dog could making her sick too! What do you think?

For those who might wonder, we got him from a pet store (please, please NO flames -we'd tried & tried "reputable" breeders; after weeks of leading us on, they kept the pups as possible show dogs; others just didn't bother to return our calls/emails - this went on for months. My dh didn't like the idea of rescue coming to our home whenever they wanted to check on the dog. And around here the shelters had mixes of pitbull/Rottie or other large dogs. I don't know why I'm explaining myself...just feel like I'll be judged or something.)

Anyway, after all this with the breeders, we came across this little Yorkie with just the cutest personality. I could hold him like a baby, tickle his tummy, look in his mouth, etc. right from the start. And my dh, who would have been described as dog-tolerant before, just fell in love with this one. He was 12 wks when he got to the store & was only there 4 days before we bought him, 7 by the time we got to take him home. We played with him every day until he could come home with us & several Yorkie owners looked in and commented on his temperment and what wonderful dogs Yorkies could be. The vet even was impressed with the vaccinations & deworming care this puppy had and all the staff wanted to hold him. But now he is sick and just doesn't want to play much but will once in awhile. I think he's not getting enough rest bc of the coughing. I got infant Robitussin but he won't take it yet. Should I try to trick it into him?

If you've ever dealt with kennel cough like this, would you please share some insights? BTW, I have panic disorder and this surely isn't helping - I'm beside myself worrying about this sweet little puppy and yet wondering if I'm too worried about something that will resolve. Please send only good thoughts & helpful advice. Thanks so much, sorry this is so long.

02-17-2006, 01:32 PM	#1
CTYorkie Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CT Posts: 42	Sick puppy Hi all, We've only had our Yorkie for a week. He is 13.5 wks old and weighs 2.7lbs. Two days after we got him, we took him to a vet for a checkup & were told he had a mild case of kennel cough & that it would resolve on its own. He was not concerned about collapsing trachea. On Wednesday, Buddy was worse so we took him to a different vet for a 2nd opinion. She put him on zithromax and told us to call back in a week. She was not concerned about collapsing trachea either. He's been on the med for 3 doses. It is nerve-wracking to watch him coughing/hacking, sneezing so much - sometimes it is quite scary (for him & us!!!) to see the gagging. His nose is runny but clear. He doesn't want to eat puppy food (never was too fond of it) or even moist dog food. The 2nd vet said not to give him human food but I tried some chicken broth with rice & he refused that too. If I break up a soft chewie and leave it on the floor, he'll scavenge it and eat it up... I give NutriCal just to make sure he gets some calories. He's had a bm every day, today they're a little green - prob. from the med. He dislikes drinking from a bowl and the water seems to trigger a coughing fit so he's not drinking so much. He's gone at least a couple times a day that we could see... I'm beside myself. I'm so freaked out that it might be more serious like the trachea thing. Also, my dd could not be immunized against pertusiss bc of an allergic reaction to the vaccine...having just read that kennel cough is related to whooping cough, I'm wondering if the dog could making her sick too! What do you think? For those who might wonder, we got him from a pet store (please, please NO flames -we'd tried & tried "reputable" breeders; after weeks of leading us on, they kept the pups as possible show dogs; others just didn't bother to return our calls/emails - this went on for months. My dh didn't like the idea of rescue coming to our home whenever they wanted to check on the dog. And around here the shelters had mixes of pitbull/Rottie or other large dogs. I don't know why I'm explaining myself...just feel like I'll be judged or something.) Anyway, after all this with the breeders, we came across this little Yorkie with just the cutest personality. I could hold him like a baby, tickle his tummy, look in his mouth, etc. right from the start. And my dh, who would have been described as dog-tolerant before, just fell in love with this one. He was 12 wks when he got to the store & was only there 4 days before we bought him, 7 by the time we got to take him home. We played with him every day until he could come home with us & several Yorkie owners looked in and commented on his temperment and what wonderful dogs Yorkies could be. The vet even was impressed with the vaccinations & deworming care this puppy had and all the staff wanted to hold him. But now he is sick and just doesn't want to play much but will once in awhile. I think he's not getting enough rest bc of the coughing. I got infant Robitussin but he won't take it yet. Should I try to trick it into him? If you've ever dealt with kennel cough like this, would you please share some insights? BTW, I have panic disorder and this surely isn't helping - I'm beside myself worrying about this sweet little puppy and yet wondering if I'm too worried about something that will resolve. Please send only good thoughts & helpful advice. Thanks so much, sorry this is so long.