Puppy Cough???

Question

My 9 week old puppy was in the animal hospital two nights ago with severe dehydration. She's back at home now and seems to be completely fine but she has some sort of cough. It sounds like she's wheezing... or has something in her throat....or even like she's dry heaving. What is it? And should I take her back to the vet?

Answer 1

That sounds like kennel cough. You need antibiotics to treat that, so yes, take her back to the vet.

Answer 2

Is the puppy drinking just before the coughing fit? Chis drink as if it is going to be taken away from them and then go into this (what I call) snarfing phase.. so lovely sounding.. Also Chis are prone to collapsed trachea which is why they should wear a harness instead of a collar. Below is an excerpt from Chihuahuas for Dummies maybe it will be helpful to you. Reverse Sneezing Pulling on the leash, eating or drinking too quickly, or just plain excitement can cause your Chihuahua to go into a fit of snorting, honking, or wheezing. Reverse sneezing or pharyngeal spasms, is usually attributed to an elongated soft palate that is believed to temporarily become misaligned. It’s common in toy breeds, perhaps because their miniaturized form has brought about organs that aren’t always proportionally correct. Whatever the reason, and whatever the size of the dog, reverse sneezing looks and sounds frightening, but it’s far from being an emergency situation. The episode may last for a few seconds or a few minutes and usually ends when the dog swallows a couple of times or is distracted by something else. Some Chihuahua owners successfully end reverse sneezing events by clapping their hands, gently rubbing the throat, or closing off their dogs’ nostrils with their fingers, forcing them to breathe through their mouths and inducing swallowing.

Answer 3

Because she was at the vet where there are other dogs she probley has Kennel Cough (my dog just had it a month ago). Like you said it sounds like dry heaving and it starts out slow and then the coughs get more fequent. Don't worry its treatable. Call your vet and they can give you a precription for her. but for now i would change her water and food bowls the disposiabe kind and change them frequently so she does not get re infected.

Answer 4

Kennel cough is highly contageous. Usually, before a dog is allowed to stay at a kennel or boarding facility, a kennel cough vaccine is required. Given your dog's young age, though, I highly doubt one was given. A kennel cough vaccine is "extra" - that is, it's not part of the routine puppy package of vaccines.

I would immediately call your vet. Her age works both for and against her (for in that she may make a full recovery, against in that her under-developed immune system may not be able to fight off this disease). It's too late for the vaccine, but antibiotics may help.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Your puppy has kennel cough and yes they need to go back to the vet.

Kennel cough or tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious canine illness characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory system. It can be caused by viral infections such as canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine parainfluenza virus, or canine respiratory coronavirus, or bacterial infections such as Bordetella bronchiseptica.[1] It is so named because the infection can spread quickly among dogs, such as in the close quarters of a kennel.

[edit] Infection
Both viral and bacterial causes of kennel cough are spread through the air by infected dogs sneezing and coughing. It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces and through direct contact. It is highly contagious. Exposure occurs in environments where there are other dogs in proximity, such as kennels, dog shows, and groomers. Symptoms begin usually 3 to 5 days after exposure.[1] The disease can progress to pneumonia.


[edit] Symptoms
Symptoms can include a harsh, dry hacking/coughing, retching, sneezing, snorting or gagging;in response to light pressing of the trachea or after excitement or exercise. The presence of a fever varies from case to case. The disease can last from 10-20 days. Diagnosis is made by seeing these symptoms and having a history of exposure.


[edit] Treatment and prevention
Antibiotics are given to treat any bacterial infection present. Cough suppressants are used if the cough is not productive (nothing is being coughed up). The prognosis is good. Prevention is by vaccinating for canine adenovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, and Bordetella. In kennels, the best prevention is to keep all the cages disinfected. Most kennels will not board dogs without proof of vaccination

Answer 6

It sounds like she has kennel cough which is spread from being around other sick dogs. You can go to the vet if you want, and if it sounds horrible, but if it is kennel cough it will go away on it's own.

Answer 7

Give the vet a call and see what they think - they can tell you if they need to see her again.

Did your dog have an anaesthetic at all? If so, a tube will have been placed in her airway, and this can sometimes cause irritation but should clear up within a couple of days.

You should ALWAYS ring your vet if you have further questions after treatment.

Chalice

Answer 8

Take her back to the vet. At that age, she may not have yet developed the immunity from vaccinations for kennel cough. She'll need treatment.

Answer 9

Yes - take the dog back. Could possibly be kennel cough, which can be fatal if not treated.

Answer 10

yes it needs to be treated with antibiotics by the vet. its called kennel cough, my dog had kennel cough before.