storm Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 I have a neighbour that had 2 small shihtzu cross dogs he adopted from a animal shelter many years ago. They are now around 6-7yrs old, desexed, vaccinated, wormed etc In Dec they spent a week in boarding while he was in hospital and came home with what the vet said was kennel cough. There were treated with antibiotics and he was told they would be fine within a few weeks. Its been over 2 months and They are still coughing and seem quite flat. He has taken them back to his vet and he was just given him more antibiotic. I did suggest he see a different vets again he was given more antibiotic. Both dogs don't seem to be getting better. They do have days where the coughing is less but the next day its back to being worse. He was told to seperate them and not let them play together. They are not happy being away from each other so he wont do this as it distresses him to see them so upset. He was also told not to leave the house with them until they are better. So he is now not going for his daily walks as hes worried to leave them in case they get sick while hes not home My questions is what else can he do to help them? he cant afford to keep going to the vet at $140 each visit. I have given him a jar of Active Manuka Honey which he is giving them twice a day. He is worried sick about his little dogs he is 76yrs old and these dogs are his family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Have they been tested for heartworm? Some of the symptoms of advanced infestation can be coughing and lethargy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted March 1, 2009 Author Share Posted March 1, 2009 Honestly dont know ellz, but will ask. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frodo's mum Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 (edited) my sister has a small dog that has been coughing ( she is 10yrs old) vet said kennel cough gave her antibiotics, still kept coughing more antibiotics ,still coughing so different antibiotics....then saw another vet he said no not kennel cough knocked her out and check throat took some off soft palate and removed tonsils.....STILL coughing several weeks later !! I wondered if it was her heart but vet said coudn't hear anything...... will be interested to see peoples responses to your question Storm Edited March 1, 2009 by Frodo's mum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Antibiotics can help with secondary bacterial infections, but are not helpful for kennel cough itself. Some strains of KC are very persistent, some pass quickly . . . rather like flu. It is worth asking the boarding kennel owner if KC was around when the dogs were in . .. if it was I'd say KC is likely . . . the kennel owner may be able to tell you something about the strain. If not, I'd be more inclined to look for other disease. Btw. try not to put the kennel person on the defensive . . . they get paranoid that someone will try and collect from them if dogs get KC. Make it clear that you're not on a witch hunt and you're likely to get honest information. As others have mentioned, it's important to rule out heartworm and other conditions (heart disease) that lead to coughing. You might say where you are in and ask for recommendations for veterinarian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted March 1, 2009 Author Share Posted March 1, 2009 my sister has a small dog that has been coughing ( she is 10yrs old) vet said kennel cough gave her antibiotics, still kept coughing more antibiotics ,still coughing so different antibiotics....then saw another vet he said no not kennel cough knocked her out and check throat took some off soft palate and removed tonsils.....STILL coughing several weeks later !! I wondered if it was her heart but vet said coudn't hear anything......will be interested to see peoples responses to your question Storm I hope your sisters little one is ok? DOL have a wealth of knowledge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted March 1, 2009 Author Share Posted March 1, 2009 Antibiotics can help with secondary bacterial infections, but are not helpful for kennel cough itself. Some strains of KC are very persistent, some pass quickly . . . rather like flu. It is worth asking the boarding kennel owner if KC was around when the dogs were in . .. if it was I'd say KC is likely . . . the kennel owner may be able to tell you something about the strain. If not, I'd be more inclined to look for other disease. Btw. try not to put the kennel person on the defensive . . . they get paranoid that someone will try and collect from them if dogs get KC. Make it clear that you're not on a witch hunt and you're likely to get honest information. As others have mentioned, it's important to rule out heartworm and other conditions (heart disease) that lead to coughing. You might say where you are in and ask for recommendations for veterinarian. Thanks Sandgrubber, I will ask Jack to ring the kennel and see. With some strains of KC could it take months to clear? He lives in Boronia Heights Qld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pomquest Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 We recently learned about dogs and hairballs. Being longhaired breeds maybe these two could use a dose of parrafin oil. It wouldnt hurt them and it just may help. Some people, vets included, scoff at the idea of dogs having what is universally thought of as a cats problem but there has been documented cases apparently of dogs/puppies actually dying from impacted hair in their bowels/intestines. We personally noticed a vast improvement with one of our girls and her continuous reverse sneezing and one boy who was inexplicably coughing. Worth a try maybe? S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Congestive heart failure? Ongoing lung infection that the current antibiotics can't help? How often do they cough? An ex foster of mine would cough every now and again. Xrays were taken, antibiotics were given and of course no improvement. Ended up putting her on half a claratyne (antihistamine) every day and it has cured her cough which was most likey a bronchial irritation. Could be worth a go with your neighbours dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) Jack has spoken to the kennel and there was one dog that could have had kennel cough that was in when his dogs were. Jack has taken both his dogs to be heart worm tested and they are negative. Vet isnt sure and is thinking either allergy/ hay fever or asthma, that's if Jack heard correctly. He was a bit stressed at the time as Bobby didnt appreciate the test apparently....lol EFS Edited March 2, 2009 by storm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 We recently learned about dogs and hairballs. Being longhaired breeds maybe these two could use a dose of parrafin oil. It wouldnt hurt them and it just may help. Some people, vets included, scoff at the idea of dogs having what is universally thought of as a cats problem but there has been documented cases apparently of dogs/puppies actually dying from impacted hair in their bowels/intestines. We personally noticed a vast improvement with one of our girls and her continuous reverse sneezing and one boy who was inexplicably coughing. Worth a try maybe?S. Thanks Pomquest The 2 dogs are around the 4 kilo so how much parrafin oil? Jack I think would be willing to try it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Vet isnt sure and is thinking either allergy/ hay fever or asthma, that's if Jack heard correctly. Go with the antihistamine then. Try it for at least a week to see if it makes an improvement. 1/2 a day would be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 Congestive heart failure?Ongoing lung infection that the current antibiotics can't help? How often do they cough? An ex foster of mine would cough every now and again. Xrays were taken, antibiotics were given and of course no improvement. Ended up putting her on half a claratyne (antihistamine) every day and it has cured her cough which was most likey a bronchial irritation. Could be worth a go with your neighbours dogs. According to the vet there heart sound fine. I spent about a hour there today and the little girl coughed on and off for the hour, the boy about 20 times in the hour and both gagged as if something was stuck in there throat. Jack asked me to thank everyone and appreciates everyone help and is deeply touched that strangers are willing to help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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