A few questions about kennel cough and my pug...?

Question

My male pug is about 5 years old and we just got him a few months ago. Everything was fine for a while....but these past few weeks, he's been gagging acting like he wants to throw up with a cough. He actually hasn't done it in the past 3 days. How do dogs get kennel cough? What is it? My mom said that he would have to be incontact with another dog to get kennel. He was with another female pug outside in a fenced yard before we got him. So...I'm on an extremely tight money situation, and so are my parents. I don't know if my dog is sick, and if he's not I wont have to take him to the vet. I really don't know what to do. He also has little bumps on his nose. They are the same color of his nose (black) but he licks his nose a lot and I'm not sure if it's just raw from him licking it so much. They're above his nostrils in a horizontal line...right where his tongue stops when he licks. Do I need to take him to the vet? I only have about $30.

Answer 1

Kennel cough is highly contagious between dogs. If you neighbor's dog two houses up has it and you dog is down wind he will get it. There is good news though, once he has it he most likely will not get it again. My pit bull got it from a friends kennel dog and got over it in about three days. A year later I got a Labrador Retriever puppy who got it from the vets office of all places. The pit bull did not get vaccinated but did NOT get it again even though he was living with the lab. It sounds awful but the vets do not treat it unless the dog has trouble breathing. So do not worry about going to the vets office especially if he has been okay for the last three days. I panicked too but my vets reassured me it was alright it just needs to run its course, I wouldn't worry about the bumps unless they become infected. My pit bull get bumps around the nose which if from allergies, and they go away unless somehow they get infected which is easy to tell.

Answer 2

Kennel cough is very contagious to dogs and is transmitted by picking it up from another dog. It can also be dangerous left untreated.

Also, because Pugs have the crunched up face (don't remember the technical term) they have problems breathing.

So whether it IS kennel cough or allergies like someone else said, it IS a serious matter for a pug.

You definately need to see a vet. I am sorry you do not have alot of money but that is something that you need to consider when adopting a pet. We don't have alot of money either but when my dog needed surgery for torn cruciate ligaments, I had to go into debt to pay the $6000 for the 2 operations.

Answer 3

It sounds like he has allergies. Those pug face dogs usually have breathing problems because of their "pug" nose; sensitive in warm weather, etc. Don't give him drugs. Switch his food to Natures Recipe, my dogs eat the Venison & Rice formula. Allergies are an attack on the immune system. Start with the Natures Recipe & see if that doesn't make a difference. Don't use the vet, they will only take your money & put your precious pet on drugs. Please locate a HOLISTIC vet around your area, that won't give your dog drugs, or chemicals, sometimes they are quite a distance from your house, they use supplements or natural remedies. Seriously, it is worth the trip.

Answer 4

OK...TAKING YOUR PUG TO THE VET FOR A CHECK UP IS ONLY ABOUT $22 BECAUSE THAT'S HOW MUCH IT COST ME WHEN I TOOK MY PUG IN FOR CHECK UPS. WHEN YOUR PUG IS COUGHING ALOT...ITS NOT A GOOD SIGN. SO I WOULD TAKE YOUR PUG TO THE VET ASAP. IF YOUR NOT SURE HOW MUCH IT COST AT YOUR LOCAL VET....YOU CAN CALL IN FIRST TO ASK...THEY WILL TELL YOU.