Kennel Cough - YorkieTalk.com Forums

sukj12 · 07-18-2006, 07:10 PM

I'm pretty sure Frodo has kennel cough - it's that dry, hacking, coughing noise that he's been making the last couple of day, but otherwise, he's his usual alert, playful self. Have you taken your furbabies in to see their vet when they've had kennel cough, or should I wait it out and see if it goes away in about a week?

BabyFidgette · 07-18-2006, 07:15 PM

Was he in contact with other dogs? Did he have his shot? I'm an overprotective mommy, so I would say go to the vet.

Hope he

Kona · 07-18-2006, 07:16 PM

Kona had a cough like that for about a week, I finally brought her to the vet about it. They gave her some Amoxi drops and that cleared it up pretty quickly.

JoyRenee · 07-18-2006, 07:50 PM

My daughters Baby, Rascal is 3 and half mths and he just started coughing. On Sunday and we took him to the vet on Monday. They said the felt it was Kennel cough. He had not been around any other dogs other then visits to the vet. They gave him pills to help him not to cough so he does not irritate his throat. But they told me that it is a virus (Kennel Cough) and it has to take its course. We then also took Peaches our other Yorkie..and Sequoia, our Golden Retriever to get treated in hopes they have not gotten the virus and "try" to prevent it.
Is Kennel Cough severe????

Lacy's Mom · 07-18-2006, 08:01 PM

I believe in the theory that it is a virus and must run its course (the body itself has to overcome it). I do think it helps to give immune boosters (like Echinacea). I also don't think any vaccinations should be given since the immune system is already compromised. It can take them a while to get over.

Some vets will put them on antibiotics to prevent a secondary bacterial infection (like pneumonia). Just like when we go to the doctor for a virus like a cold or the flu, they'll give us an antibiotic to prevent bronchitis, a bacterial infection. Some vets don't do this because they believe we overdue antibiotics and they shouldn't be given unless needed. With all antibiotics you should give live bacteria cultures (like in yogurt) to restore beneficial bacteria that the antibiotic kills off with the bad bacteria.

A vet can also prescribe a cough suppressant which might be helpful.

sukj12 · 07-18-2006, 08:04 PM

Thanks everyone - the info has been very helpful! Yes, it sounds severe when he coughs - the fit usually lasts about 10 minutes, but he only tends to have a coughing fit when he gets really excited or when he drinks water. I think I'll call his vet in the morning and see what she says - if she prefers me to bring him in, I will.

Again, thank you!!!

sukj12 · 07-18-2006, 08:05 PM

Oops, and I forgot to add that yes, unfortunately, he had to stay overnight at an animal shelter last week ... it's a long story, but he's back safely

LuvMySissy · 07-19-2006, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sukj12

Oops, and I forgot to add that yes, unfortunately, he had to stay overnight at an animal shelter last week ... it's a long story, but he's back safely

If this is a new thing for him and he recently stayed overnight at a shelter, he most likely picked up this virus from there. Just to be safe, I'd have your vet check him out. Many times the virus will last for a long time, so they will at least treat the cough with steroids or other meds as the coughing can be very tough (and scary) on their little bodies.

kriston · 07-19-2006, 04:56 AM

My experience, the vet didn't give my dog the vaccine, but thought that he did - was supposed to - just got busy and forgot - but charged me for it and it went into his record that he had it but I was with him and I KNOW he didn't give it - he argued that he DID give it, so who knows? Long story... Anyhow, my dog got kennel cough so I took him to the vet and he gave him an antibiotic (tetracycline) that did NO good at all. Also gave a cough supressant and 6 days later my dog was worsening.
DH came home from work and said "You need to get this pup to the vet, he is wheezing." We have an ashtmatic skinkid, so I couldn't believe that I didn't hear my furkid wheezing, but DH is a medical professional and pup was excited to see daddy and breathing heavy. I called a new vet in town and she changed the antibiotic to a sulfa (reason, my dog was going into pneumonia)! She also took him off the cough supressant because she said he NEEDED to get that stuff up, which really does make sense. She said if you let it go too long it can really get nasty and you would actually have to run a humidifier and do breathing treatments!

07-18-2006, 07:10 PM	#1
sukj12 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 160	Kennel Cough I'm pretty sure Frodo has kennel cough - it's that dry, hacking, coughing noise that he's been making the last couple of day, but otherwise, he's his usual alert, playful self. Have you taken your furbabies in to see their vet when they've had kennel cough, or should I wait it out and see if it goes away in about a week? __________________ http://dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=321236

07-18-2006, 07:15 PM	#2
BabyFidgette Learn Yorkie CPR! Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,855	Was he in contact with other dogs? Did he have his shot? I'm an overprotective mommy, so I would say go to the vet. Hope he __________________ Nicole & Baby "The more men I meet, the more I love my Yorkie!"

07-18-2006, 08:04 PM	#6
sukj12 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 160	Thanks everyone - the info has been very helpful! Yes, it sounds severe when he coughs - the fit usually lasts about 10 minutes, but he only tends to have a coughing fit when he gets really excited or when he drinks water. I think I'll call his vet in the morning and see what she says - if she prefers me to bring him in, I will. Again, thank you!!! __________________ http://dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=321236

07-18-2006, 08:05 PM	#7
sukj12 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 160	Oops, and I forgot to add that yes, unfortunately, he had to stay overnight at an animal shelter last week ... it's a long story, but he's back safely __________________ http://dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=321236

07-19-2006, 04:56 AM	#9
kriston Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: W. KY Posts: 693	My experience, the vet didn't give my dog the vaccine, but thought that he did - was supposed to - just got busy and forgot - but charged me for it and it went into his record that he had it but I was with him and I KNOW he didn't give it - he argued that he DID give it, so who knows? Long story... Anyhow, my dog got kennel cough so I took him to the vet and he gave him an antibiotic (tetracycline) that did NO good at all. Also gave a cough supressant and 6 days later my dog was worsening. DH came home from work and said "You need to get this pup to the vet, he is wheezing." We have an ashtmatic skinkid, so I couldn't believe that I didn't hear my furkid wheezing, but DH is a medical professional and pup was excited to see daddy and breathing heavy. I called a new vet in town and she changed the antibiotic to a sulfa (reason, my dog was going into pneumonia)! She also took him off the cough supressant because she said he NEEDED to get that stuff up, which really does make sense. She said if you let it go too long it can really get nasty and you would actually have to run a humidifier and do breathing treatments! __________________ Kriston Very Proud to be Lola, Ted, & baby Chip's Human! "Puppy kisses are GOOOOOD medicine!"

07-18-2006, 07:16 PM	#3
Kona Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 1,877	Kona had a cough like that for about a week, I finally brought her to the vet about it. They gave her some Amoxi drops and that cleared it up pretty quickly.

07-18-2006, 07:50 PM	#4
JoyRenee YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: York, Pa Posts: 754	My daughters Baby, Rascal is 3 and half mths and he just started coughing. On Sunday and we took him to the vet on Monday. They said the felt it was Kennel cough. He had not been around any other dogs other then visits to the vet. They gave him pills to help him not to cough so he does not irritate his throat. But they told me that it is a virus (Kennel Cough) and it has to take its course. We then also took Peaches our other Yorkie..and Sequoia, our Golden Retriever to get treated in hopes they have not gotten the virus and "try" to prevent it. Is Kennel Cough severe????

07-18-2006, 08:01 PM	#5
Lacy's Mom YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 3,065	I believe in the theory that it is a virus and must run its course (the body itself has to overcome it). I do think it helps to give immune boosters (like Echinacea). I also don't think any vaccinations should be given since the immune system is already compromised. It can take them a while to get over. Some vets will put them on antibiotics to prevent a secondary bacterial infection (like pneumonia). Just like when we go to the doctor for a virus like a cold or the flu, they'll give us an antibiotic to prevent bronchitis, a bacterial infection. Some vets don't do this because they believe we overdue antibiotics and they shouldn't be given unless needed. With all antibiotics you should give live bacteria cultures (like in yogurt) to restore beneficial bacteria that the antibiotic kills off with the bad bacteria. A vet can also prescribe a cough suppressant which might be helpful.