Kennel Cough

[MelmoK]

So, we had taken fuzzbutt (AKA Caleb) in for his shots about a week and a half ago (second set) and I was talking with one of the vet techs today who said the pup that came in while we were in the waiting room had Kennel Cough...

And well Caleb has had the sneezles a few days and he's had two of the coughing bouts.
He was vaccinated for it but I've known many dogs who got it even after vaccines so I'm not surprised.
He's acting normal though sleeping a tiny bit more, eating normal and playing normal. He has his next appointment on the 14th and as of now the vet said to see how he's doing, we'll go in early if need be but to keep with what I'm doing.

What I'm doing is a bit of honey three times a day and getting stuck in the bathroom with 'dad' or me when we shower to soak up the steam.

Why are puppies so stressful?

[Jespah]

Puppies are stressful so we don't end up with 50 or 100. There has to be a downside to all of the unbearable cuteness. :TWITCHY:

Not all kennel cough vaccines cover the same strains. I hope Caleb is feeling better soon - sounds like you are taking good care of him. +WUBCLUB+

Deb

[MelmoK]

Yeah, I've always heard the KC vaccines are like the human Flu vaccine, it doesn't protect against all strains.

[taflar]

Why are puppies so stressful?

Because they're babies. And trust me they're not as stressful as children. Even grown children...

Peggy

[MelmoK]

Yeah, thats what my mother keeps saying.

Now, not to jinx us but I think he's kicking it. NO coughs today and no extra sleepies. So, keep your fingers crossed that he's won.

[taflar]

Yeah, I've always heard the KC vaccines are like the human Flu vaccine, it doesn't protect against all strains.

Not exactly. The human flu vaccine is remade every year to reflect the current strain of flu going around. They track the flu viruses and modify the vaccine each year. They don't do that with the kennel cough vaccines.

Kennel cough is caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses. The combo shot will protect your dog against 10% of the things that cause kennel cough. The bordetella vaccine will protect against another 10%. So there's 80% of the viruses and bacterias that cause kennel cough that you cannot vaccinate for. This is why a dog can be fully vaccinated and still get kennel cough.

Normally to treat kennel cough the vet will perscribe a cough syrup (and IMO, that will work better than honey, and I'm not sure honey is safe for puppies. It's not safe for babies.) And sometimes an antibiotic. If you think your puppy has kennel cough take him in to the vet and have him treated. If it is bacterial it will not go away without antibiotics. Viruses have to run thier course.

And keep him away from other dogs until he's well.

Peggy

[MelmoK]

Normally to treat kennel cough the vet will perscribe a cough syrup (and IMO, that will work better than honey, and I'm not sure honey is safe for puppies. It's not safe for babies.) And sometimes an antibiotic. If you think your puppy has kennel cough take him in to the vet and have him treated. If it is bacterial it will not go away without antibiotics. Viruses have to run thier course.

And keep him away from other dogs until he's well.

Peggy

He's staying home until his vet appointment, no desire to expose other dogs, I wish the previous puppy would have stayed out in the parking lot instead of coming into the waiting room and 'sharing'.
I did discuss the honey with my vet and he encouraged the honey and suggested not to bring him in unless he wasn't showing improvement this week. The honey is in fact a trick I learned when I worked at a vet clinic for two years, a teaspoon three times a day. Though it is never recommended for puppies under 6 weeks of age, never longer then a week, and never on an empty stomach.
The problem with most of the cough syrups is they suppress the cough enough that there can be a mucus build up which ends up bringing on more severe problems, I know that none of the vets I've used or worked at would prescribe one. But the joy of vets is each vet has their own experiences and opinions to draw on.
I'm suppose to give my vet a call tomorrow to update him on Calebs condition which I must say is pretty much normal with a normal temp and no cough but if he wants to see him then in we'll go. If not he'll be seeing him on the 14th for his next round of shots anyway.

[taflar]

The honey is in fact a trick I learned when I worked at a vet clinic for two years, a teaspoon three times a day. Though it is never recommended for puppies under 6 weeks of age, never longer then a week, and never on an empty stomach.

Good to know.

The problem with most of the cough syrups is they suppress the cough enough that there can be a mucus build up which ends up bringing on more severe problems, I know that none of the vets I've used or worked at would prescribe one. But the joy of vets is each vet has their own experiences and opinions to draw on.

The vet that treated my dog use Robetussin. I've heard of other owners who's vets have used the same thing. The good thing with this particular dog (a Golden) was that he was barky. Only he found out that barking would bring on a coughing spell so for two weeks he was darn quiet! Too bad that didn't last though.

Peggy

[thebeach.corgi]

WOW! Talk about learning a lot in a few short messages! I never knew that kennel cough can be due to so many different viruses and that the shot protects against so few.

Thanks to both of you for such great dialogue.

I hope Caleb weathers his exposure without any further problems.

[MelmoK]

Well, I haven't had a cough from him in days. When I called the vet for our phone checkup he told me to just keep an eye on him and he'll see us on the 14th.
Caleb himself is tormenting the kitties, being a brat and begging for his kibble as usual.

Forgot to add, I had a friend who's vet prescribed Robetussin DM. He was very specific that it HAD to be Robetussin DM. Like I said, I've never used it myself because of the above but my friends' Ridgeback turned out okay after two weeks of treatment.