Kennel cough

[Sheena5305]

Dexter is now 8 and a half months old and has been going to daycare one day a week for about a month. Yesterday when I got him home he was sneezing and licking his nose a bit, I didn't think anything of it till midnight when I woke up to what I thought was someone kicking my door down - turned out it was the dog coughing! Does anyone have any advice on treating kennel cough without a course of antibiotics? Not because I don't want to take him to the vets and pay through the nose but because he's only recently finished a 10 day course which ironically was for a bad reaction/virus he got when we had him vaccinated for KC and I'd rather not pump a puppy full of antibiotics at such a young age for what is essentially a cold

 

[musicdeb]

I would recommend confirming that it's kennel cough which is treated by doing basically nothing but watching the pup to be sure he does not develop pneumonia. As long as he is eating, drinking, pottying, playing and walking normally, just keep an eye on him. If the cough becomes worse or he stops doing the necessary things in life, then it's time for vet check.

Is the cough a productive cough or dry cough?

It is highly contagious to other animals.

 

[Sheena5305]

Thanks, he's his normal self in terms of eating, drinking a little more than normal but everything else is ok it's just his runny nose and the cough. It's productive ie producing a white froth but not all the time. I've booked him in at the vets just to be on the safe side especially with the way he was after the vaccine. I'd just like to be in a position (a bit like the argument I had with them about neutering him) to push back if they try to prescribe more antibiotics if they're not necessary

 

[ruthcatrin]

If his breathing is normal, he's not struggling to breathe, then no, he doesn't really need an antibiotic. Though with the sudden onset you'll want to keep a close eye on him. KC itself isn't fatal, but it can cause pneumonia.

Um, not sure I have any actual studies for you though. I could pull up a couple articles, but most vets hate having articles waved at them, while studies will usually get them to read the paper at least. Your best bet may be to pull the "worried about over use of antibiotics" card. Which is the biggest issue with them prescribing antibiotics, over use of them has caused many diseases to mutate to not respond to them. And I'll note, that if they DO insist on giving you something, but also are sure its KC, you can always just not give the meds to him unless it does get worse.....

But yah, its highly contagious, so he should be kept home from daycare till after he's not coughed for at least a week.

 

[DennasMom]

I would hope, after being vaccinated for KC, getting it anyway, and just getting off antibiotics, that the vet would really, REALLY listen to you when you request you'd like to help your pup recover WithOut antibiotics this time.
You can always accept the prescription, but then not get it filled (or not give the pills to the puppy unless things don't improve on their own).

Lots of fluids (home-made stock ice cubes are a favorite around here), good food, lots of rest, and confinement, just like a kid with a cold... sounds like a plan to me.
I'd add in a probiotic, too, so you can rebuild the gut bugs after his last round of antibiotics.

 

[Sheena5305]

Back from the vets and she agreed to no antibiotics at the moment but has given me a decongestant to give with his food, I think this is punishment for him sneezing in her face when she was looking up his nose

I did warn her beforehand that tipping his head up wasn't a good idea.

 

[musicdeb]

Good job, sneezing in vet's face!

 

[Sheena5305]

It made me dry heave, poor girl was covered in mucus she had to go and get changed into clean scrubs

 

[ruthcatrin]

I shouldn't, but I'm LMAO! I'm sure it was quite disgusting though!

 

[musicdeb]

It made me dry heave, poor girl was covered in mucus  she had to go and get changed into clean scrubs

I would have thrown up. I can handle crap and vomit but can't handle that mucus crap.