Kennel Cough?

[SallyB]

Looks like our lovely rescue collie may have kennel cough

Brief history: we picked him up from the pound on Tuesday 27th October where he had been given a C3. Took him to the vet the next a.m and booked him in for desexing on Friday. They did the job and also upgraded his vaccinationto C5. By the weekend the hideous plastic funnel that he had to wear to stop him licking his bits and pieces had caused sores under his neck. I took it off on Sunday night as it was horrible. Back to the vets for a check up yesterday and he had his neck clipped and some cream for his sores and some anti biotics.

Today he is sneezing and had a few coughs. My son said he was coughing last night (he sleeps in his room).

Does this sound like kennel cough to you?

He has to go back to the vets on friday, I just thought I might get some advice here beforehand.

Thanks

Edited November 3, 2009 by SallyB

[Erny]

Hard to tell from your description, SallyB but that he still periodically coughs, it could be a clue.

Either way, it won't hurt and IMO can only help your dog if you dose her up with some Active Manuka Honey (get UMF factor of 20+ or higher). It will ease throat discomfort and also helps to support the immune system. You can put some in a bit of water now and again as well, if you think he isn't drinking enough and that will help to keep him hydrated.

Just keep an eye on the cough and let him sleep when he will. Keep him away from drafts and avoid taking him out for walks or exercise that is too active. IOW, treat it like you would a child who has caught a cold. If it worsens and you become too concerned for him, then take him to the Vet's sooner than your next scheduled visit. But otherwise, if it is just Canine Cough without any secondary complications, there's not much they can do.

I personally would not have advocated a vaccination on top of surgery, not that I'm a Vet.

Poor dog .... sounds like he's had a bit of a rough trot lately but I'm sure that with your care and a stable home life, he'll come good . Good on you for giving a resue a home .

[Teebs]

Either way, it won't hurt and IMO can only help your dog if you dose her up with some Active Manuka Honey (get UMF factor of 20+ or higher).

:rofl:

I saw the name of the thread and wondered if you had been in here yet :p

Kaos spent the day yesterday playing in the water, she now has a cough, just hoping it is from too much water and not KC again!

[Erny]

I saw the name of the thread and wondered if you had been in here yet :p

You shutup. I actually waited, hoping someone else would venture in, but no-one did. I think I need an "AMH" rubber stamp made up so I can copy/paste.

[Teebs]

Maybe contact the makers of it? I am sure they would help out?

[Poodle wrangler]

When one of my dogs had KC, it sounded like he was trying to vomit more than a cough.

It's a virus, so antibiotics are only given by bets if it gets worse and they're concerned that they have a bacterial infection on top of the initial KC.

(kind of like getting pneumomia after a severe cold or flu).

TLC is good treatment- rest, plenty of water, warm environment etc. AND avoid other dogs.

[SallyB]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately he has already been in contact with our JR. Last time I had to deal with kennel cough was over 20 years ago when I got a dog from Battersea Dogs Home in London! He has had a rough time lately but he's still smiling in true collie fashion. I will search out some of the honey as suggested. And I will try and post some pics of him soon, he really is a very beautiful dog

[Erny]

It's a virus, so antibiotics are only given by vets if it gets worse and they're concerned that they have a bacterial infection on top of the initial KC.

Unfortunately, PW, I think that some Vets jump on the "give a pill" button even earlier than that. I have a friend who took her dog to the Vet (not for canine cough) and he suggested antibiotics. She asked "why antibiotics .... there is no infection?" He answered "to make you feel better" .

Edited November 3, 2009 by Erny

[Kelpie-i]

I had a client call me to tell me her dog had caught KC and I asked her what the vet had given the dog. She stated some pills and a "special liquid medicine"...I replied with "Oh cough mixture!". She went a little quiet and said "Oh is that what it is...thought it smelled familiar".

Seriously if we went to the doctors with a cold, we would be told to go home and rest. :D

[stormie]

It's a virus, so antibiotics are only given by vets if it gets worse and they're concerned that they have a bacterial infection on top of the initial KC.

Unfortunately, PW, I think that some Vets jump on the "give a pill" button even earlier than that. I have a friend who took her dog to the Vet (not for canine cough) and he suggested antibiotics. She asked "why antibiotics .... there is no infection?" He answered "to make you feel better" :D.

But if the vet didn't give AB's, and the KC did get worse and subsequently need AB's, those people would be bitching at the fact they went the first time, paid a consult fee and didn't get any treatment and the problem got worse.

Not saying I agree with giving AB's for simple case of KC, but just saying sometimes its a no win situation for vets - can be damned if they do and damned if they don't.

I don't get what's wrong with giving a bit of cough medicine though - pretty sure I've read people on DOL suggesting it regularly??

[Erny]

But if the vet didn't give AB's, and the KC did get worse and subsequently need AB's, those people would be bitching at the fact they went the first time, paid a consult fee and didn't get any treatment and the problem got worse.

Not saying I agree with giving AB's for simple case of KC, but just saying sometimes its a no win situation for vets - can be damned if they do and damned if they don't.

I think it would be easy enough to explain to people so they know what to look for and what to potentially expect. And I don't think covering their butts is a good enough reason to be administering antibiotics when the dog doesn't need them. Only serves to build resistant strains of bacteria and when the dog really needs antibiotics ....... :D . I think it is the Vet's job to tell it like it is, not to assume we all might be morons and therefore medicate our dogs unnecessarily.

I don't get what's wrong with giving a bit of cough medicine though - pretty sure I've read people on DOL suggesting it regularly??

Yes they do and I believe with reasonably good enough results as far as 'easing' things is concerned. But why even go there when something as natural as Active Manuka Honey will have all the benefits - and you don't even really have to worry about working out appropriate dosages with the AMH. Nothing wrong with 'natural' when 'natural' works . In fact, everything right :D.

Edited November 4, 2009 by Erny

[Poodle wrangler]

It's a virus, so antibiotics are only given by vets if it gets worse and they're concerned that they have a bacterial infection on top of the initial KC.

Unfortunately, PW, I think that some Vets jump on the "give a pill" button even earlier than that. I have a friend who took her dog to the Vet (not for canine cough) and he suggested antibiotics. She asked "why antibiotics .... there is no infection?" He answered "to make you feel better" :D.

Am sure you're right.

I certainly wouldn't feel better, given how expensive all pet medications are.

Bit like how DRs used to give antibiotics.

Now we've got antibiotic resistance, but at least most try to educate patients that a cold will normally resolve all by itself and doesn't require antibiotics.

Not sure there's anything wrong with cough medicine per se, but studies show they're not effective in humans.

Am guessing same goes for dogs.

[stormie]

I totally get you Erny and like I said, I agree with you. Unfortunately though, the majority of dog owners we've previously seen (particularly in our previous clinic) aren't like DOLers and would be the ones to blast us.

Oh and Erny - you'll love this - at a recent talk put on at our Specialist Centre by the Specialist Surgeon, regarding wound management, guess what he said was one of the best things for wounds...

:D

[Kelpie-i]

don't get what's wrong with giving a bit of cough medicine though - pretty sure I've read people on DOL suggesting it regularly??

Stormie, absolutely nothing wrong with giving cough medicine, but the Vet should have told them what it actually was. When my boy caught KC, I gave him Benadryl.

Erny I went to the health shop today to buy some Manuka Honey.....$60 for a small jar of 25+......I nearly fell over. :D I had to leave it behind since I'd spent $65 on concentrated joint formula for Bud. Definitely next time.

[MsBex]

don't get what's wrong with giving a bit of cough medicine though - pretty sure I've read people on DOL suggesting it regularly??

Stormie, absolutely nothing wrong with giving cough medicine, but the Vet should have told them what it actually was. When my boy caught KC, I gave him Benadryl.

Hmmm ... got so mad after I paid $50 for cough medicine from the vet (for my puppys KC) only to peel the label back and realise I could have bought it over the counter for $10. Changed vets straight away!

[Erny]

I totally get you Erny and like I said, I agree with you. Unfortunately though, the majority of dog owners we've previously seen (particularly in our previous clinic) aren't like DOLers and would be the ones to blast us.

I hear you, Stormie. But I cannot see how anyone could blast the Vet if the Vet has said "The dog has a virus which needs to run its course with a little TLC thrown in to help. Antibiotics will not help at the moment because they do not treat viruses. I can prescribe antibiotics (Erny's note : not that I agree with this) but as you would know, giving antibiotics more than is required can result in them not working as well when the dog might really need them. My recommendation would be that you keep your dog quiet; avoid exercise such as walks and vigourous play for a week after the dog has stopped being symptomatic; but bring the dog back in to see me at anytime if the symptoms worsen."

What's wrong with that? And how hard can that be?

Gosh - I think it would at least be better (ie second best) if the Vets said this and if they wanted, to still give the antibiotics to the owners and leave it up to the owners IF they want to administer them. As it stands though, people are so guided by what the Vet says and if that is "your dog needs antibiotics" then why would ..... or SHOULD people even think to ask questions?

Personally, I think that Vets need to smarten up their act a little in things such as this.

Oh and Erny - you'll love this - at a recent talk put on at our Specialist Centre by the Specialist Surgeon, regarding wound management, guess what he said was one of the best things for wounds...

.... yep, it's good for wounds too . I love AMH. For me. For the dog.

Edited November 4, 2009 by Erny

[Erny]

Erny I went to the health shop today to buy some Manuka Honey.....$60 for a small jar of 25+......I nearly fell over. I had to leave it behind since I'd spent $65 on concentrated joint formula for Bud. Definitely next time.

It's certainly not cheap, K-i, that I know. I think my Health Store sells it for a few dollars cheaper - or perhaps prices have gone up since I last purchased. But honestly, I love the fact I can just keep it in the pantry; it doesn't go off; and it is right there for me to give (or for that matter, to take) if I even remotely suspect that something's not quite right. I've even given it to my boy if I've found out afterwards that he's been around an area or a dog/s that's come down with Canine Cough. Merely as an immune booster. Perhaps not necessary - maybe he wouldn't have succumbed to the cough anyway - I guess there's no way of telling. I have it sometimes if my stomach does't feel great, or if I have a bit of a sore throat, or otherwise think I might be coming down with something.

Thinking about Bud ..... if you haven't already, can you give an update in your thread, or email me?