Kennel cough or something else?

jhinesis

New Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
9
Likes
0
Points
0
#1
I posted yesterday about our pomeranian that I adopted yesterday afternoon. The vet tech at the shelter told us he had kennel cough and would need to see a vet for it. He didn't do any tests or anything, just observed him coughing and wrote it down. He was ok last night and eating; he coughed and sneezed some. Apparently, today, after I went to work he got sick and started vomitting several times and my fiancee says he hasn't eaten today.

Our other dog. which we adopted about two weeks ago, actually had kennel cough when we brought him home, but it wasn't too big of a deal it cleared up on its own. This seems much worse than what our first dog had. I plan on taking them both in for treatment hopefully tonight since the pom isn't doing so well and I know it's contagious. Any way, what I wanted to ask is if you guys think he really has kennel cough or something worse? They both received all of their shots at the shelter, however the pom is due for a booster shot of DHLPP tommorrow. I am just praying I can get an appointment tonight to take the little guy in so he feels better. He seemed just fine this morning.
 

arishaun

Official Pooper-Scooper
Joined
Oct 4, 2005
Messages
79
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
42
Location
Tujunga, CA
#2
This sounds like the really early stages of kennel cough. I would just take the two of them to the vet and have them both put on anti-biotics. I had the same experience with my youngest when we first adopted her. As the pup goes through the rest of the stages, you'll be seeing a lot of yellow/green discharge from the nose and he'll be hacking up mucos and sometimes even vomitting a bit. Just keep the pup settled down and continue giving him/her the medicine prescribed regularly. Also, keep a supply of pedialyte and the pureed baby food in a jar, because there's a chance he/she will lose appetite and stop drinking water. We fed ours with a wooden tongue depressor that we got from the vets and gave her the pedialyte and water with a sterile needle-less syringe, also from the vets. And once this is over, make sure they get a booster for the kennel cough vaccine.

Hopefully this didn't scare you. Your puppy may not end up in such bad shape as ours did. But if you just stay on top of keeping them medicated and well fed/hydrated, they'll be right as rain in no time. :)

If you have any more questions, please feel free to PM me. Hope the pups feel better soon!

Jenn
 

SummerRiot

Dog Show Addict
Joined
Sep 16, 2005
Messages
8,056
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Ontario, Canada
#3
I'm sorry but Kennel Cough should NEVER be taken lightly. It says within your dog for a full month at times - even though symptoms aren't present.

if you bring your dog ANYWHERE public within that month you are risking others dogs from becoming infected.
Definately try and get your pup into the vets asap, warning them with the possible Kennel Cough as its HIGHLY contagious!
 

Barb04

Super Moderator
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
27,429
Likes
4
Points
38
#4
I agree that you need to get them both to the vet asap and also tell the vet why you're bringing them in as the vet may have you keep them in the car instead of being in the waiting room with others. Please let us know what happens.
 

jhinesis

New Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
9
Likes
0
Points
0
#5
We took both boys to the vet yesterday(Friday). He diagonosed the pom with an upper respiratory infection and put him on Clavamox twice a day for 7 days. When we got there, they quickly had us run the boys into a room so we weren't waiting in the lobby with other dogs. He said the pom was underweight by a few pounds but that his infection wasn't "deep" in his lungs and that it should clear up with the meds. Said to call if the other guy came down with symptoms, which he very well might, since what the pom had and what the other dog had are different. He said that what the pom has is probably a result of several things, both bacterial and viral and that the stress from his neuter and being in the shelter probably helped him to be more suseptible to them. He said there was no point putting the other dog on medication unless he was showing symptoms of being ill.

So he's had 3 doses of his meds so far. Still sneezy today. Today he was eating pretty well and he was playing with toys, which he hasn't touched since we got him. However, the other dog, who was active and strong as an ox yesterday, today is acting sort of odd. He's just been sleeping and laying around today, not really hungry. He's normally a demon, running and barking and being an active boy. We might need to make another appointment for Monday if he starts the sneezing or doesn't perk up.
 

Barb04

Super Moderator
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
27,429
Likes
4
Points
38
#6
If he really gets worse, you should really take his temp to make sure he doesn't have a fever.
 

jhinesis

New Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
9
Likes
0
Points
0
#7
Well, they seem to both be doing well. Whatever was bothering the other dog, it seems to have passed. His appetite and activity is now back to normal.

The pom seems to have really 'perked up', he's been eating a lot so hopefully he'll put on some of the missing weight. We *did* have to put a towel around his neck with some duct tape to get him to leave his neuter incision alone though. He just wouldn't let it heal and was biting at it. Bought one of those cone like collars to put on him, but I suppose it wasn't big enough since he was still reaching the spot and licking it. It looks better today.
 

Spiritus

New Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2006
Messages
437
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Middle of the Canadian prairies
#8
Sounds like you have it under control. :) And THANK YOU for adopting your dogs :D

Now, the truth about Kennel Cough.

1) It is a virus. Antibiotics do not cure/fix viruses.
2) It runs down the animal's immune system making them susceptible to secondary infections.
3) IF prescribed antibiotics, it is typically to fight off the secondary infections, NOT to cure the kennel cough.
4) Some dogs do not show symptoms, others show cold-like symptoms, others get quite ill. Watch your dog closely.
5) The kennel cough vaccine, if administered WHEN a dog has kennel cough, will typically clear up the kennel cough within 5-7 days.

This all came from my vet when I had kennel cough here for the first time this summer. When I am faced with an illness, I tend to research that illness fully.
 

Members online

Top