Sticks1977 Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 (edited) I have just returned from the local vet and they have said that Fraser has Canine or Kennel Cough. It has surprised me that he has it - he is not coughing all that much but when he gets excited he has that "gagging" sound going on and when the vet examined his windpipe he made the same noise. He is on a course of 5 mL Rikodene (given orally) and 1.25 Tablet of Tribrissin, both given twice a day. The vet mentioned that he could be on these medications to rule out any possibility of a secondary infection. The only worry I have now which I just thought of - is should I be washing and disinfecting his bedding and any toys that he has been chewing on or had in his mouth? I would not want to start him on the course of this medication if it is not going to do any good because the virus or flu is around the house on his toys or where he sleeps. Any help would be appreciated - I have read a few other posts here about kennel cough but nothing really touched on anything that he would be in contact with on a daily basis. Perhaps I may be paranoid - but I would rather ask and be safe in the knowledge that he is on the way back to being healthy. Lastly - would you recommend that I not take him on any walks for the next week or two so it limits his exposure to any other pets? Regards, Shaun (Sticks1977) Edited August 3, 2009 by Sticks1977 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claireybell Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Hi Shaun, My cocker has JUST recovered from kennel cough. I was told that my dog should be quarantined for 10 days. I had been giving her manuka honey and benadryl cough syrup which seemed to help with the sore throat she was getting from coughing. I started this thread last week so hopefully you can get some great answers in this: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=172962 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Lastly - would you recommend that I not take him on any walks for the next week or two so it limits his exposure to any other pets?Regards, Shaun (Sticks1977) Absolutely restrict his access to other dogs. The virus is transmitted through airborne droplets and he should not have access to other dogs for 21 days after symptoms abate. I'd not worry about washing bedding. He's unlikey to reinfect himself and I gather the virus doesn't last long outside the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 KC is like the human flu he is not going to reinfect himself. No need to wash everything. Please keep him confined, in your yard and house, for at least the next two weeks so that he does not spread the KC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Tell your neighbours if they have dogs & anyone you may that may have been in contact with your dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticks1977 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 Thanks to all for the replies so far - it is good to know that I do not have to go through the house and disinfect everything. I am keeping his water in his bowl fresh, throwing out some of the old water and filling it up again out of the tap. The problem I have at the moment is trying to give Fraser the 5mL of Rikodene orally with the syringe. When I first gave it to him last night I stuck the syringe towards the back of his tongue and put it all in as quick as I could - I could hear the liquid going down his throat... but he did not respond well to it trying to cough and attempted to dry reach a few times, but the medicine did stay down. This morning I tried a different approach, giving him the syringe again but only about 1mL at a time, letting him swallow that part and then continue. It seems to be something he is not enjoying (maybe the taste of the medicine?), so I'm wondering if there is a more efficient or easier way of giving him this medicine orally? Should I try and place the 5mL in a small bowl and get him to drink from there? My current method of trying to administer this medicine orally is for him to sit, then I stand over him from the back so that his head is between my legs. He moves his head up and with one hand I open his mouth and the other applies the syringe. He is fine when it comes to any tablets as this is a quick and easy process. Any advice would be appreciated - thanks to all for replying so far and I will keep you all updated as to how he goes. Regards, Shaun (Sticks1977) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Please do NOT give liquids as you did in the first example There is the very real possibility of a lot of it going into his lungs!!! No wonder he coughed and gagged . The safest way is to have him sitting....and securely held...or with his back against a wall, or in a chair..just so he can't scoot backwards tilt his head up a little - only about 45 deg. don't open his mouth. place syringe gently at the SIDE of his mouth,towards the back,and keep it between his teeth and his lips..and squirt liquid in SLOWLY..so his lips make a pouch/funnel... he should then be able to swallow without choking. Make sure you praise him.. and follow up the dosing immediately with a treat Have something in your pocket- or even visible ..so he knows what's waiting for him :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticks1977 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 Thanks for the advice - I will give this a go later tonight when I give him his second dose just before dinner. Dealing with trying to open his mouth and seeing his tongue moving around trying to avoid the syringe was a battle in itself... Good to know for any future liquid medicine that I will have to give him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 What do you feed? Could you just put the liquid in his dinner or something yummy so he will eat/drink it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I would recommend administration as described by Persephone. I will also add that Rikodeine tastes pretty nasty, even though it is definitely not the worst. Not sure that dogs have a particular preference for fake cherry :D I would try to get it in, then follow up with something very tasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticks1977 Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 I have tried the new method of giving him the Rikodene with placing the syringe near the back of his mouth underneath his cheek flap (not sure if that's the right term for it...) It is much easier to give him the medicine in this way - he still does not like the taste of it though. I give him around 1 to 2 mL slowly from the syringe, then give him a chance to move his tongue around (it's like he is drinking) and then continue with the rest of the Rikodene. As mentioned I give it to him slower now and once it's all finished I give him a few treats and then his meal - whether it be breakfast or his dinner. Thanks again to all for the replies and assistance - he does seem on the mend though and seems a lot happier and more active around the house. Regards, Shaun (Sticks1977) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Glad to hear there is less hassle, AND that he appears to be more comfortable :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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