Kira apparently has Kennel cough

• 03-28-2009 7:11 AM

  lisa4kids1pup Joined on 11-30-2006 Posts 470 Points 15

  Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact When we first got her, she was sneezing here and there, and then it seemed to stop/slow down. 5 days into having her, she coughed a couple of times (yesterday) and my husband thought she had something caught in her throat.  This morning, she's hacking and wretching at the end like she's trying to produce some phlegm.  She also had some white eye discharge first thing this morning.  Why couldn't she have had the symptoms 3 days ago when I took her for her checkup?  argh.  The rescue said if she started having green stuff, they'd put her on an antibiotic, but there's nothing coming from her nose yet.  I'm sitting here wondering, is this just another symptom from the same thing she came to me with, or did she pick up something at the vet?  When I was checking in, there was a guy there with a boxer who was occasionally making a snorting type of noise.  I had her up off the ground, and tried to move away and shield her...and then the guy came over and petted her.  I was initially thinking the dog just made those types of noises and some dog breeds do sound snorty sometimes.  It was 2 days from the time we were there, until she started coughing...does that seem too soon? I always thought it was 5-7 days. Misty has been sharing toys and playing with/around her, so I think she's probably already been exposed, and it's very difficult to keep them separate unless Kira goes in the garage, which I won't do. Why can getting a puppy never just be easy???  I have never brought one home in my life that has not had some sort of problem...whether it be diarrhea, scabies, flea/mite infestation...etc.... She seems to be acting normal...playing in her water dish and jumping around, so I'm hoping it will be mild.  She also has only had a few episodes of it, and is quiet right now.  It's definitely worse when I take her on-leash outside to potty...so it must be Kennel cough, since they usually press on the trachea to check that, and that's what her collar does. Any recommendations on what to do???? edited to add....the rescue lady called and is getting Kira seen by their vet on Monday, so if she needs meds they'll do it then.  She didn't say anything, but since the foster mom said the others had been sneezing also, the willingness to get her seen right away makes me think the other pups may have this coughing part too.  Either way, she'll get taken care of.... Now, we are off to a pancake breakfast fundraiser and to take Alyssa to her observation morning at Banfield, and I'm going to pick up some Vit. C for Misty just in case. Misty, collie mix age 2.5 & Kira, shep/husky/bc/malamute mix puppy

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• 03-28-2009 10:31 AM

  In reply to lisa4kids1pup

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-28-2008 South of Boston Posts 3,045 Points 250

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact Apollo got kennel cough a while ago. We treated it just like the common cold (that's what it is for dogs we were told by our vet). We put him in the bathroom with us when we were showering because the stream broke up the flem. We kept him away from other dogs, and had him take it easy. It was gone on it's own in about 3-4 days. Now, for a puppy, I'd watch it carefully. If there's any icky/green/yellow discharge defiantly bring her in. -Stephanie blacklabbie.weebly.com Apollo- black Labrador Retriever Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel

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• 03-28-2009 10:57 AM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  lisa4kids1pup Joined on 11-30-2006 Posts 470 Points 15

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact so far, she seems to be acting normal, with the exception of random occasional coughing.  She did bring up some phlegm a bit ago.  I got them some vitamin C liver flavored tablets, and Kira loved hers...Misty needed some coaxing (wrapped it in cheese).  We will have an appt on Monday unless she seems better or worse...if she's worse, we'll take her somewhere tomorrow. Misty, collie mix age 2.5 & Kira, shep/husky/bc/malamute mix puppy

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• 03-28-2009 11:08 AM

  In reply to lisa4kids1pup

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,866 Points 3,330

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact You could give them some echinacea as well (the adult dose for *both* of them is fine because the bottle tends to way under dose that anyway) andd- only give it for a week or two.  It punches up the immune system better than nearly anything else. Vit C chewables should be fine.  The 'dose' is very individual.  some can take high doses with no problem, others even a small dose can cause diarreha.  So just watch the 'results'.  But Vit C has to be given frequently in order for it to do any good -- it's completely water soluable so the next time they pee it leaves the body.  So several small doses (like 4-5) of a low dose is way better than 1 or 2 doses a day.  (i.e., breaking the chewable into half or quarters and giving it even every hour will do more good than just once because the body can absorb it better).

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• 03-28-2009 12:36 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  lisa4kids1pup Joined on 11-30-2006 Posts 470 Points 15	Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact can I just get the capsules and try to get them to eat them with a treat, or should I look for liquid? (echinacea) I got liver flavored C at Petsmart....they're 250mgs, should I break those in half still?   Misty, collie mix age 2.5 & Kira, shep/husky/bc/malamute mix puppy
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• 03-28-2009 1:19 PM

  In reply to lisa4kids1pup

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,941 Points 330

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact A little honey will soothe the throat and reduce excess coughing.  Steam to loosen the phlegm is really important.  If necessary put Kira in a wire crate next to a vaporizer and cover with towels to keep in the steam. Vet offices can be very dangerous places for puppies.  I suggest waiting in your car with a cell phone at your next appointment.  The staff can call you when it is your turn.  Breeders with new pups often come in through a side door and avoid the waiting room completely. Note to lurkers:  As much as you need to avoid sick dogs and their owners, it is still important to visit the vet often just for treats.  That way the pup has lots good experiences to offset any bad ones.  Find out when business is usually slow at your vet's office and go then for fun visits.

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• 03-28-2009 1:31 PM

  In reply to lisa4kids1pup

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,866 Points 3,330

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact lisa4kids1pup: can I just get the capsules and try to get them to eat them with a treat, or should I look for liquid? (echinacea) Echinacia augustfolia (*not* purpurea -- different!!! augustfolia is far more effective).  Usually I just use the capsules - just get a good quality one.  DON'T empty them -- I usually use something slippery -- like yogurt in a spoon, a bit of butter.  You don't want them to chew it (so I don't use cheese unless it's something slippery like ricotta and even then not for something like echinacea. Bottom line -- echinacea is BITTER so you don't want to use anything they'll want to be tempted to chew and you don't just sprinkle it on their food.  It's way too bitter.  Even the tincture (non-alcohol) is STILL majorly bitter. Solaray isn't as good as it used to be, it's owned by a big company.  But just get a good quality brand and you'll be ok. lisa4kids1pup: I got liver flavored C at Petsmart....they're 250mgs, should I break those in half still?   It all depends on how much she can tolerate without diarreha.  If you give her two and wind up with diarreha, then break them in half and space them out tomorrow.  250 mg. sounds low to us (except I'm one of those humans who doesn't toelrate C easily at all either).  I probably would break them if it were me -- even if you give her a piece every hour it's going to do her more good than 1 pill every 2-3 hours.  Be cautious buying stuff like that at a pet store.  Unfortunately nothing like that is 'regulated' and often dog herbals, vitamins, etc can be extremely poor quality.  I tend to use human quality of all that kind of stuff "just because". Frankly, you can teach them to *like* sour citrus stuff like C if you go about it in a fun treat-kind of way usually.

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• 03-28-2009 1:36 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  lisa4kids1pup Joined on 11-30-2006 Posts 470 Points 15

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact where do you get your echinacea angustifolia?  I was looking online and I don't see it.  Hubby is headed to Walgreens, and that's where I checked.  I'll text it to him and see if he finds it on the shelf. I'm starting to worry now because she seems lethargic and not all that interested in drinking.  Maybe her throat hurts.  She is coughing more often now, and bringing up about 1tsp-1TBSP of phlegm each time. I'm feeling really upset and sad that this is happening and also wondering when/if Misty will get sick too.  The rescue is trying to find out about getting her an antibiotic now, but is it going to really do any good if it's just viral?  I need a nap I think...everything just seems so wrong right now.  ugh. Misty, collie mix age 2.5 & Kira, shep/husky/bc/malamute mix puppy

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• 03-28-2009 1:44 PM

  In reply to lisa4kids1pup

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-28-2008 South of Boston Posts 3,045 Points 250

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact lisa4kids1pup: I'm starting to worry now because she seems lethargic and not all that interested in drinking.  OK, the thought of a lethargic puppy would make me bring her to the vet. Not trying to scare you, "kennel cough" can turn into pneumonia. IMHO, I would bring her to the a vet, any vet that is open, ASAP if you really think she's lethargic. That's a big red flag for me especially since she's a puppy. -Stephanie blacklabbie.weebly.com Apollo- black Labrador Retriever Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel

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• 03-28-2009 1:51 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  lisa4kids1pup Joined on 11-30-2006 Posts 470 Points 15

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact I'm trying to evaluate whether she's lethargic or just sleepy.  She does tend to sleep this time of day, and when I call her over, she comes over with her tail wagging.  She just came down with this late yesterday, so I'd tend to think it's soon to be pneumonia.  She took a short walk with us earlier and seemed happy then.  I just want to get some water in her mostly.  I'm waiting to hear back from the rescue...the lady called before, but I couldn't hear over all the puppies barking, so she said she'd call back after 2.  I will tell her everything and see what she says since she said she would take care of her illness/vet visit. Misty, collie mix age 2.5 & Kira, shep/husky/bc/malamute mix puppy

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• 03-28-2009 2:09 PM

  In reply to lisa4kids1pup

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-28-2008 South of Boston Posts 3,045 Points 250	Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact Well, she's probably not lethargic if she's coming to you and seems upity. How about ice cubes, does she like those? That could help get some water in her. Just keep a close eye on her. -Stephanie blacklabbie.weebly.com Apollo- black Labrador Retriever Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel
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• 03-28-2009 4:29 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,866 Points 3,330

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact Ice is an awesome thing to teach a pup to like -- make a SUPER SUPER **light** broth (like 1/4 boullon cube to a quart of water) and freeze in cubes.  Then crack them with a hammer before you give them to her (completely frozen ice can crack a tooth).  Add water to her food.  Echinacea angustifolia and echinacea purpurea are two different 'species' of plant (like think beefsteak tomato vs. plum tomato??).  The Purpurea is more common -- but less effective.  And it's usually the better herbals that even make the point of the different species of herb.  (it's like when was the last time you read on a label that the tomato sauce was made from plum tomato rather than another variety??  it wouldn't be a legal point).  HOWEVER, this is a really good point of why so often when they try to do 'studies' that those studies may not be worth the paper they're typed on.  Because herbs ARE PLANTS.  That means how 'effective' it may be is going to be contingent upon the quality of that plant or the variety of it.  I mean it's not usually until someone gets hold of that "difference" and then makes a marketing thing out of it that anyone THINKS about the difference. LIke 40 years ago an orange was an orange and juice was juice.  Then suddenly the California orange growers had to differentiate themselves from the Florida growers.  So suddenly "Valencia" oranges became the rage.  There are 100's of varieties of orange -- some of them are good for juice, somee are  good for eating by hand.  How many oranges does it take to get a glass of juice?  Depends on the variety AND how big and sweet and juicy they are.  SO morph back to 'directions' and "testing" -- if they decided to do a test on how "effective" echinacea was, but they wound up with echinacea someone bought "bulk" from somewhere?  Maybe it was angustifolia and maybe it was purpurea -- but if they're trying to determine efficacy in helping get rid of oa common cold, FOR SURE the results would be different.  And if it was from a sub-standard provider and that ground herb they got was half weeds?  The test is gonna come back that it doesn't help.  That's why you'll hear folks who really know herbs talk about using things like "wildcrafted" herbs or "organic" herbs if you really want it to work. In my email to you I said Wal-mart has a surprisingly good quality of herb.  Better than most places.   PS -- if she starts to really *cough* -- you can make a cough syrup of honey & lemon (RealLemon is fine if it's all you've got).  -- you can give that "as needed" and it will soothe.  It's not a cure but it's a darned good calmative. IF you can get your hands on some slippery elm bark (**sometimes** Wal-Mart carries that).  Empty a few capsules into 1/4 C boiling water and add THAT to the honey/lemon and now you've got a darned GOOD cough syrup that's a good anti-inflammatory for the lungs.

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• 03-28-2009 4:30 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  lisa4kids1pup Joined on 11-30-2006 Posts 470 Points 15

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact well, I did find out that several other puppies who were also at the adoption event last Saturday, have come down with Kennel cough as well.  I wish they would give the puppies a bordetella vaccine before exposing them to all those animals like that.  At least she is making me an appt with their vet for Kira to get treated.  Kira seems a bit better...the honey worked wonders, but she does go into some coughing spells occasionally.  She has not been in the mood to chew on anything or run around much today, but I'm sure she feels a lot like we do when we come down with a cold.  The other puppies started showing signs on Weds evening, so I'm wondering if the fact that she took 2 days longer, means that she's a strong pup! Does anyone know if Benadryl would help her at all? She has coughed up tons of mucousy stuff today and I'd love to see her get some sleep tonight.  What about robitussin?  I don't want to do anything wrong, so that's why I ask. Misty, collie mix age 2.5 & Kira, shep/husky/bc/malamute mix puppy

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• 03-28-2009 5:55 PM

  In reply to lisa4kids1pup

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,941 Points 330

  Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, but the vet may use them as a preventative.  Benadryl is an antihistamine, but it would help to make her drowsy.  I don't know about using Robitussin. You really don't want to suppress productive coughing.  If she sleeps in a steam tent tonight, each cough will be more productive and the number of coughs will decrease because of that. Vaccines may or may not have helped to prevent this.  Bordetella and Parainfluenza cover 3 of the 8+ causes of kennel cough.  No vaccines are available for the rest.  The name "kennel cough" is just a genetic term to cover viral respiratory infections in canines. Note:  This Benadryl dosage may seem high, but it is correct for canines:  Benadryl (tablets or liquid w/no artificial sweetener) - Dosage: 1-2mg/lb of body weight 2-4 times/day .  The higher dosage is for situations where there is dangerous respiratory swelling - like from a spider bite to the face.

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• 03-28-2009 6:11 PM

  In reply to lisa4kids1pup

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,941 Points 330	Re: Kira apparently has Kennel cough Reply Contact It turns out that you could use Robitussin, see http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1303+1469&aid=1395 However, the instructions say to use it only for chronic, dry cough, not when there are productive coughs.  Kira would not benefit from it right now.
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