HELP! Kennel Cough, Grinding Teeth, and Seperation Anxiety!

[tashaclaire]

Chloe is 13 weeks now and she is still trying to get over her upper respiratory infection(i guess this is kennel cough?)... this has caused her not to be able to get her 12 week vaccinations yet (the vet said we didn't want to stress out her system). But I have a few questions, so here they are:

1. Kennel Cough - The vet said that the infection has to go away by itself, that it would run its course and she would be fine. He gave her an antibiotic, Amoxi-Drops, as well as an injection at the office to avoid any secondary infection (pnemonia, etc.)... he said that it usually runs its course in 10 days( so to stop giving her the antibiotic in 10 days). Today is day 10, and she definatly still has the cough. She is still congested (more at night and when she first wakes up), and while it seems to be getting less often and less harsh, it is still there. Is this normal? Has anyone else had a puppy with this that lasted longer than the 10 days the vet said? If so how long? Did you give your puppy a children's cough syrup to relieve the cough, and how much? If it did last longer did you keep giving the antibiotic? Any information on this would be so great, thank you!!

2. Acidophilus - I know that when I was very ill (my kidneys began to shut down... weird for a 18 yr. old) I was I tons of antibiotics and medicines. The doctor told me to take acidophilus for a long time after that. Would this help my little one in a small amount? Since antibiotics can be so hard on the good bacteria in your body too I dont want her to have a compromised immune system after this... does anyone feed their puppy acidophilus? In what form (powder, pill, yogurt, etc.)? Any experience with this would also be greatly appriciated!!

3. Grinding Teeth - When Chloe is sleeping every once in awhile she will begin to grind her teeth... also, but very rarely, when she is awake. I know she is teething so could this be the cause? Anyone else have this experience?

4. Seperation Anxiety - I got Chloe on May 22nd, and she still has never been alone. She is so small that we are just afraid she may get hurt somehow or just anything (I am a nervous mother!). The vet said with puppies and especially since she has the upper respiratory infection, it is very important not to stress her out. This is another reason I have never left her alone. Usually when I go to work my sister or my mom watches her, but tomorrow (6/12/2006) is the first day that our schedules do not work. My sister had to fly out to Chicago for a funeral and she wont be here like she usually is in the mornings to watch Chloe. I am afraid to leave her alone!! Will this be too much stress on her right now? Plus she is still so small and I give her NutriCal every 4 hours and have to make sure she is eating and drinking... should I be as nervous as I am or will she be fine? Please, someone help!! Tell me what I should do.... find someone else to watch her, or will she be fine on her own??

Sorry this post was so long, any help anyone has would help me soo much!! Thank you!!

[Patti]

Hi welcome and I know exactly how you feel. CAli was ny 4th Yorkie and my 5th puppy. She was the smallest one I ever had. She was 1 lb at 10 weeks and has been sick a lot.
1. Cali had Kennel cough when I got her and gave it to my 9 year old pom. They were on 3 rounds of Amoxi drops and it still took over 3 months to go away. The same thing they coughed at night and first thing in the morning. They both got ove it on their own. Just watch her lungs for pneumonia.
2. I never gave my dogs this but I use Missing Link supplement and it has something in it for their digestive system an since I started Cali on it she has had no probems with her stomach.
3.The grinding teeth i have never experienced with my puppies but my dtr did it in her sleep and grew out of it,.
4.How long will she be alone tomorrow? Can someone check in on her if it's longer than 4 hours? I have always tried to leave Cali alone a couple hours a day so she gets use to being alone some times.
Good luck and let us know how she does.

[Tophersmom]

Kennel cough sometimes takes a while to leave the system. You should see a gradual improvement over time. Just keep close watch to make sure that there's no worsening of chest congestion.

As far as meds go (cough meds, etc) I'd never give anything to my pup without first asking my vet. There are some human meds that dogs can take and there are some that are absolute no-no's. They metabolize meds differently than we do (much differently) so it's imperative that you get instructions on dosage as well.