Kennel cough

[RSbunny]

Anyone's dog had kennel cough before?? i'm new to it and don't know how quick the healing progress should go. Biscuit is going back to the vets tomorrow afternoon for a checkup again and I'd say she'll end up with more antibiotics....she only has three days worth left and I don't think it is going to be enough. she is keeping her food down but her droppings are runnier than usual but not diarrhea looking if that makes any sense! She is going to the toilet just once a day so I don't see that as a major concern, just all part of the illness. At the moment she is lying under the shade of a tree outside with the workmen that are putting up her fence.....she loves men and is having the time of her life watching them and getting attention from them and chewing on her pigs ear!!! help guys I'm trying not to be an overprotective mother but I want my baby to be healthy again!

[Formula86]

when i got chaquita (from shelter) i was in the EXACT same situation. how long your dog has it depends on the dog's immune system and a whole bunch of other things. my vet said that it could last 3 days or 6 weeks. just depends. chaquita had it for 6 weeks or so. we just couldn't get rid of it. she went through 2 or 3 antibiotics plus cough tabs at night (she would wake up and get coughing fits). she had diahrrea somewhat, too. she finally kicked it and hasn't had any problems since. my friend's dog had it when she got her and it took her 3 weeks or so to get rid of it.

things to look for:
1. have you seen improvment on these meds? if so, i'd go with another round of them. if not, change brands maybe. she could already have built up immunity to them or maybe they just don't work for her.
2. does she have coughing fits? if so, a cough tab might help because the more she scratches her throat, the more she'll want to cough and so on.

hope this helps!!

[Deja]

My dogs have always been vaccinated for Kennel Cough (Bordetella) so I have no personal experience with it. It's a requirement here if the dog is to be boarded anywhere and proof of vaccination is needed before they will accept the dog for boarding or pre-scheduled vet procedures that require overnight or extended stay care.

What I do know is that Bordetella, otherwise known as kennel cough, is caused by a bacterial organism (which is what bordetella is), or can be caused by a virus (Canine adenovirus (hepatitis virus) or the parainfluenza virus), and is spread through the upper respiratory fluids of coughing dogs. (Which I am sure you already knew )
Treatment consists of antibiotics and sometimes a cough suppressant and should run it's course in about 10 days.
My only concern would be dehydration from the runny stool (probably being caused by the medication) if she is being left outside in the heat for any length of time. Can you keep her inside where it's cooler and she has constant access to fresh water at all times? I know you are really worried about her but she's on medication and you are doing all the follow-ups with the vet. I'm sure she is going to recover and be just fine!

You can add a little boiled rice to her diet to firm up the stool. Lots of water is always good when they are on an antibiotic.

You're being a normal worried new mommy and that's, well... normal! I know you are giving her lots and lots of TLC and watching her carefully for any changes in her condition. You're on top of it and doing what you can...
She's going to be fine because you're doing everything to make sure of it.

I know you want her to be all better, like... yesterday! But - it has to run it's course. Keep her well fed and hydrated and just keep loving on her... you're doing great.

[Dena]

My dogs had it when they were spayed. It was about a week after they came home so the vet didn't think it was from the tube in there throats during surgery. I guess at that age the vaccine was wearing off and the new one just didn't take affect but they were put on Clavamox (its amazing how much Clavamox I have seen in one year) and it went away in just a couple of days. If you can definitely get her vaccinated. I vaccinate my dogs and cats for everything just because I am so afaid of bringing home someting from the shelter. Its very curable and maybe might take a week to clear up. Just be very diligent with giving her the antibiotics and give her lots of rest and water, I know you have already taken care of the love part.

[Becki]

I've never had it with my dogs, but I just wanted to say be VERY careful going between animals!! I suspect that 2 of my chins died from it a while back. From what I've read rabbits can get and carry it as well! I hope you get it cleared up soon!

[jmb9101]

Harlie got it when she was a puppy...and she had it for about a week and a half or so. She got it from my parents dogs, who were both adopted from a shelter. I hope she gets better quick!

[Formula86]

as the others have said: keep everything disinfected. i would wash whatever she lays on every other day. maybe get some Oust air disinfectant. keep her bedding clean though because it's harder to get better when you are laying on the germs.

and more pics dang it carmen! haha.

[Pure14K]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that your baby is sick. That sucks. I personally don't have any experience with it either (any dogs I've ever rescued have all been vaccinated against it) but I'd just suggest keeping everything clean & keep taking care of her the way you are..... Good Luck

[Chrisanne]

I'm sorry your baby is sick.

One of my dogs got kennel cough FROM the vaccine. He then gave it to one of my other two dogs (who was vaccinated against it). He had it for about a week, the other was sick for about 2 weeks.

[RSbunny]

ok here is the update!!! The antibiotics she was on did nothing for her! She was improving slightly but not enough so the day before her antibiotics ran out she went back to the vet for a visit! My vet likes natural medicines and gave me some herbs to give her three times a day....well she has improved out of sight! Her nose has dried up (no more snot running out everywhere!) and she only coughs late at night and ear;y mornings now when the temp gets cooler. She was inside for the whole first week in the airconditioning and just this week she has started going in the yard. I put her in the yard today and she didn't want to be there and talked for a while. She did shutup and I just went out to check on her and she was sitting on the front porch.....now I have to figure out where she is escaping from! Little devil! thanks for all your advice guys! And she is vaccinated, she was two days before I picked her up. Even vaccinated dogs can get it...just an FYI for people! Nacho was at the end of kennel cough when I got him and we didn't know and he passed on to my aunty's dog who is always up to date with her vaccinations! I don't think rabbits can get it, I have been given no warnings about that and spoke to several people in the veterinary industry about her...but thanks for the warning Becki, if my bunnies get sick I'll know what it is!

More pics are coming you guys!!!

[Deja]

Yay!! I'm so glad Biscuit is better! What a relief that must be.
Give her a belly rub for me

[RSbunny]

Linda that won't be a problem!! She is so embarassing...as soon as there is a man around she runs to them, tail wagging like crazy, sits at their feet, licks their ankles and then proceeds to roll over for a belly rub!! Yesterday she actually fell asleep lying on me (I was on her bed with her) longways so her body was resting on my legs on her back and snoring her little head off!! I was trying so hard not to laugh but her gums had moved back and were kinda flapping and her teeth were showing, her mouth wide open and snoring so loud she sounded like an 80 year old man!! In the end I couldn't help but laugh at her hysterically and she did wake up from it!

[Formula86]

i love it when chaquita snores like that! like a drunken slob or something! haha.