What can I do to help a dog that has kennel cough?

Question

He has been vet checked and immunised and de sexed...but hes caught kennel cough...The pound said that we could give him linctus but its prob not really worth it has anyone heard of giving dogs honey? they also suggested maybe we try to do that for him????

Answer 1

many vets use Tussin DM for cough in dogs. Make sure it is DM and nothing else. and it should be 15mg/5ml. The dosage rate for dogs is 2mg/kg 3 to 4 times daily by mouth. To calculate your dog's dose, divide his weight (pounds) by 2.2 and that number is his weight in kilograms. If he is 50lbs, divide 50 by 2.2 and you get 22.7kg. Multiple this number by 2 (dosage 2mg per kg) which is 45mg. The Tussin DM is 15mg/5ml, so divide 45 by 15 which equals 3, so the dose will be approximately 15 ml or 3 teaspoons. This may not be a strong enough medication for kennel cough, but it's worth a try.

Answer 2

Call your vet and ask about using a cough suppressant. When I searched for a treatment on the web people where saying their vets told them to give their dogs Robitussin DM. There is also a site where the vet answering peoples questions said to give them a cough suppressant. You will have to find out what dosage your dog will need.
They also say that the don't recommend antibiotics since it can be a viral or bacterial infection and that really it just has to run it's course.

I would imagine it would also help to do the things your supposed to do when you are sick. Extra fluids, a humidifier, freeze some broth ar soup for nice cool snacks that will make his throat feel better.

Answer 3

HOW IS IT TREATED?

Although most cases will go away on their own, we like to think we can hasten recovery with antibiotics to directly kill the Bordetella organism. Alternatively, Kennel Cough may be treated with cough suppressants to provide comfort during natural recovery. Or antibiotics and cough suppressants can be combined.

WHEN IS IT A SERIOUS CONDITION?

In very young puppies, especially those with a recent shipping history (i.e. pet store puppies) are especially prone to severe cases of infectious tracheobronchitis (frequently progressing to pneumonia).

In dogs where the distemper virus is involved (usually shelter or pet store puppies), there is tremendous potential for serious consequences. (For more information on distemper, click here)

VACCINATION OPTIONS:

There are basically two options for Kennel cough vaccination: injectable and intranasal.

Injectable is a good choice for aggressive dogs, who may bite if their muzzle is approached. It provides good systemic immunity as long as two doses are given after age 4 months (with an annual booster). Injectable vaccination may only lead to less severe infection and not complete prevention.

Intranasal vaccination may be given as early as 2 weeks of age and immunity generally lasts 10-12 months. (Usually this vaccine is boosted annually.) The advantage here is that the local immunity is stimulated, right at the site where the natural infection would be trying to take hold.

It takes 4 days to generate a solid immune response after intranasal vaccination so it is best if vaccination is given at least 4 days prior to the exposure. Some dogs will have some sneezing or nasal discharge in the week following intranasal vaccination. As a general rule, nasal vaccination provides faster immunity than injectable vaccination.

Parainfluenza, Adenovirus type 2, and canine distemper, all members of the Kennel Cough complex, are all covered by the standard DHLPP vaccine, the basic vaccine for dogs. Adenovirus Type 2 serum also immunizes against Adenovirus Type 1, the agent of infectious canine hepatitis.

VACCINATION IS NOT USEFUL IN A DOG
ALREADY INCUBATING KENNEL COUGH

WHAT IF IT DOESN’T IMPROVE?

As previously noted, this infection is generally self-limiting. It should be at least improved partially after one week of treatment. If no improvement has been observed in this time, a re-check exam (possibly including radiographs of the chest) would be a good idea.

Answer 4

There was a new strain of kennel cough making its way around the northeast about a year ago. Our pooch was immunized before he was boarded but came down with it all the same. The vet prescribed a round of antibiotics and it went away after about a week.

Answer 5

Kennel Cough is a self limiting disease in most dogs. The will get over it all by theirselves in about 2 weeks. So just keep an eye on him. Antibiotics are for bacterial infections and do not help a virus.

Answer 6

kennel cough is really easily treated-- take him to the vet and he'll prob. prescribe some antibiotics. don't try at home remedies- you don't know if your dog has allergies or whatnot, it's just not worth the risk, you know? & i work in a shelter, have never heard of the honey thing!

Answer 7

Get the dog to the vet! kennel cough can be fatal if not treated!

Answer 8

Running a cool air humidifier at night will help.
If you are in an area with eucalyptus trees, you can boil a few leaves in a pan on the stove daily to ease the condition. It creates a medicated steam.

Fresh bay or laurel leaves, boiled to steam the air will help too.

Answer 9

take it to your veterinarian.
the vet will prescribe the proper medication.

this is a condition that warrants professional attention.