Kennel Cough in dogs?

Question

My puppy started unproductive dry heaving out of no where last night. it went on for about 20 minutes, then he was fine. An hour later he started again and just couldn't stop.

I rushed him to the ER Vet who said he had kennel cough based on the fact that 2 weeks before the first snow he played at the puppy park, then last week just graduated from intermediate dog training classes.

They didn't take x-rays of his lungs... which surprised me, but the vet was positive non-the-less. based on pushing on his tracheal and listening to his lungs.

Does kennel cough sound right? or should I take him into my vet on monday?

I always worry because I brought my bunny to the same ER and the vet she had missed that she was in kidney failure. So I worry.

Tho Kennel cough seems likely.

He eats, drinks and so far poops fine (even on the antibiotic. no diarreha yet knock on wood).

Last night he was also extremely playful. Today not so much, but that's the meds.

Opinions?

also, he was vaccinated for kennel cough, he's not due to be revaxed until early January.

Although I hear, Vaccinations protect them, but are not all inclusive when it comes to strands of viruses that cause kennel cough. Just the bord. strand.

Thanks for the great answers! (some not so great)

to be fair to the good answers, I can't choose just one... so I'll leave it up to the voters to be fair. But thanks especially to KKingS, Bindi, chichilo, periced and Aravyndra.

PS, my puppy is so far doing fine. He's eating, his poop is normal, and he's resting confortably thanks to the meds. So I think Kennel Cough probably was the right diagnosis! Thanks again all!

Answer 1

It can be diagnosed by the sound alone. He didn't need an xray, and it wouldn't have showed anything at all. Kennel Cough is a fancy name for bronchitis. It usually goes away on it's own in about 6weeks.
Vaccinations for the disease are worthless, and many times they actually cause the disease instead of preventing it.
Many vets give a round of antibiotics, but time solves it too.

Answer 2

Kennel Cough in dogs will stimulate a coarse, dry, hacking cough about three to seven days after the dog is initially infected. It sounds as if the dog needs to "clear it's throat" and the cough will be triggered by any extra activity or exercise. Many dogs that acquire Kennel Cough will cough every few minutes, all day long. Their general state of health and alertness will be unaffected, they usually have no rise in temperature, and do not lose their appetite. The signs of Canine Cough usually will last from 7 to 21 days and can be very annoying for the dog and the dog's owners. Life threatening cases of Kennel Cough are extremely rare and a vast majority of dogs that acquire the infection will recover on their own with no medication. Cough suppressants and occasionally antibiotics are the usual treatment selections

Answer 3

Kennel cough is NOT deadly, and can at points go away on its own.

however treatment is the best thing because untreated kennel cough could cause complications like pneumonia.

Symptoms can include a harsh, dry hacking/coughing, RETCHING (which is the dry heaves), sneezing, snorting or gagging.

So YES dry heaves is a sign of kennel cough. If he makes a "clearing the throat" hack noise after retching, then that is definately a symptom.

if the vet pushed on his tracheal and got a response, then it seems to me from all you've said that you are dealing with kennel cough.

You did the right thing by going to the ER.

just make sure you give the medications as prescribed, and if you're still worried on Monday, go to the vet.

as for the vaccinations... think of kennel cough as the human parainfluenza virus.

We get a flu shot to protect us from the most common strand of the year, but we can still come down with the flu because it doesn't protect us from all strands of flu.

While vaccinating is a good step in preventing, its not a definate cure all.

Your puppy probably got a strain of "kennel Cough" that he wasn't protected against.

again...

its NOT Deadly, but if untreated can cause other complications like pneumonia which can be... so you did the right thing going to the emergency vet the same day it happened.

Answer 4

The ER vet probably missed the diagnoses on the rabbit because not all vets have the experience or knowledge to treat rabbits. Same with ferrets, birds, reptiles etc.

The kennel cough should clear up in a couple of weeks. They didn't take an xray because probably wouldn't have shown anything anyway. They would have done an xray if the dog sounded like he fluid build up in his lungs.

The antibiotics are to prevent pnuemonia, they won't treat the kennel cough itself. Kennel cough is caused by a virus, viruses can't be treated with antibiotics. But having kennel cough gives the dog a higher risk of developing pnuemonia which can be serious, so most vets will do the preventative antibiotics.

Answer 5

You are absolutely right, the vaccination does not protect against all possibilities (I know, my dog ended up with KC caused by the strep bacteria even though he had been vaccinated.)

I really would be confident with the ER vet's opinion. They did not need to do chest xrays when my dog had....listening was enough to let them know he was ill (althought they did offer to do them, but I declined since the treatment would be the same regardless.) Just keep with the antibiotics. It may take a while to clear up, and depending on the type/strength of the medicine, he may still be healing even after he finishes the doses (some antibiotics stay in the system longer.)

*Dry heaving or a hacking cough that makes it seem as they want to vomit IS indeed a symptom of KC. Also, if there is any discharge from the nose...another sign. I am so glad you are a responsible owner and took your dog to the ER vet as soon as you thought something was wrong! Thank you....you are a rare breed on this forum.

*Seems someone disagrees. KC is an umbrella term used for basically a respiratory infection in dogs. It can be caused by both viruses (which antibiotics would not treat...but as someone said, stop it from progressing into pnumonia) and several types of bacteria.

Answer 6

First for the vaccines, What vaccines are is a non active form of the virus. The body then builds up an immune response to that specific virus so that later when/if they get the virus the immune system will be able to act quickly to fight it off. Thats just a basic description.

Now for teh kennel cough, it does sound liek that is what your dog has. With kennel cough they symptoms are coughing and sometimes nasal discharge. If he presents with any other symptoms I'd take him back to teh vet. For teh treament just antibiotics and rest...since its a bacterial virus you just gotta wait it out. Hope this helps at all and I hope your dog will be feeling better soon.

Answer 7

Kennel cough is the same as bronchitis in people. Considering the contact with the public I would think your vet is right! It is not a fatal thing it is just uncomfortable for the dog and worrisome for the owner. Vaccines don't always protect against direct contact because KC has a high level of contagion especially in younger dogs.

Answer 8

Kennel cough is deadly and very expensive to treat. Sounds like you may have gotten the antibiotics quickly. My 2 dogs got out of their kennel one day ( 2 years ago) and ended up at the local shelter. They both were exposed to parvo there. I cost hundreds to pull the smallest dog through and very diligence to follow vets orders . Good luck.

Answer 9

Dry heaving is not a symptom of kennel cough that I have ever seen. I'd go to a diffverent Vet.

Answer 10

take him to your vet.