Kennel Cough Help

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#1
Hi All,

Bella has kennel cough and I have no idea how she got it... GRRR.

Anyway...she went to the vet today but I did not go (my mother took her) so I have one question I didnt get to ask, so maybe someone here can answer.

How long will the cough last? I feel so bad for her... She was given some cough medicine and Clavamox.

Also, the doctor said she was pretty certain it was kennel cough... she did an XRAY to ensure her trachea was fine but the only way to be CERTAIN of kennel cough is to sedate the dog and put something down their throat which my mom didnt want to do because she didnt want her to have any unnecessary procedure especially one where she needed to be sedated... so is there anything else that could produce this cough that should have been looked for?

Thanks.

Elissa
 

wehkah

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#2
If it's kennel cough you should notice a considerable difference after about 24-48hrs of being on calvamox. At least that is my expierence.

Kennel cough is one of those things that is similar to getting the flu. You can give them the shot for it but it only covers a certain strand. If they get a strand that it doesn't protect against they'll still get kennel cough. Same with the flu for us. You can NEVER fully vaccinate against kennel cough this is why they tell you to get the shot every year. I personally don't give my dogs the shot unless they will be in a situation where they may be exposed to it, ie boarding. Kennel cough is an air bourn virus this is why it's so contagious.

I myself work in a kennel part time. If we have a dog that's in iso with kennel cough I wash my hands after every contact and I strip my clothes when I get home and send them straight to the washer before I have any contact with my animals. I've brought it home twice before I started that regimine.
 

HoundedByHounds

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#3
I don't "do" anything as far as Rx, for kennel cough in an otherwise healthy dog personally. I have a humidifier that I use and tussin syrup to help them sleep. After our first run in with it after a show and a trip to the vet they simply told us these things help...and in a couple weeks it resolves itself.

In the very young or old...or immunocompromised of course it's different. But I am comfy treating here at home.
 

smkie

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#4
Bronki had a terrible time with KC we would steam up the bathroom with the shower and i had him in there propped up on pillows for if he layed flat he could not stop coughing. papers in the corners for they always seem to head that way to cough up the phlem. I dont know if he had a secondary infection or not, he was prone to lung problems in the first place. Cough syrup does seem to help.
 
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#5
Bronki had a terrible time with KC we would steam up the bathroom with the shower and i had him in there propped up on pillows for if he layed flat he could not stop coughing. papers in the corners for they always seem to head that way to cough up the phlem. I dont know if he had a secondary infection or not, he was prone to lung problems in the first place. Cough syrup does seem to help.
Yes, laying down must be the worst for Bella too... She almost never sleeps during the day she is constantly up and playing and the cough is very bad at night when she is laying down... I will let my mom know about steaming up the bathroom when it is really bad.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

Elissa
 

Giny

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#6
Aw, poor Bella. I've never gone through the experience of KC with either of my dogs, thank God, so I'm not much help. I just want to send her all my good thoughts and hope she gets better soon.
 
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#7
Aw, poor Bella. I've never gone through the experience of KC with either of my dogs, thank God, so I'm not much help. I just want to send her all my good thoughts and hope she gets better soon.
Thanks Giny..

I have never dealt with this before either... my animals are never in a kennel situation... they havent been to the vet in awhile (before today)...and they dont play with other dogs... it soo frustrating not to know where she got it... Now I just hope the other two dont get it. :confused:
 

HoundedByHounds

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#8
kennel cough doesn't actually have anything to do with a kennel.

Your dog could meet ONE other dog on a walk and pick it up. Or sniff one area of grass where a KC dog has sneezed, you could bring it home on your clothing, hands or shoes, a dog in an adjoining yard could have it, etc.

It runs thru dog parks from time to time...training classes...vet offices as well...anyplace large numbers of dogs can be found. There IS a vaccine, and mine are given it, but like the flu shot the vaccine covers only so many strains of the virus so your dog may still get it...but it will be less serious.
 

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