periau Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 (edited) Hi guys Unfortunately my dogs have contracted Kennel Cough. I was wondering if they HAVE to go to the vet? Someone i was talking to suggested Benadryl? I thought they needed antibiotics? Thoughts please? ETA: What should i be feeding them? They mainly eat dry food and bones- all of which i thought would aggrevate their throats? Edited March 22, 2006 by periau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periau Posted March 22, 2006 Author Share Posted March 22, 2006 I have done all the appropriate things- re: letting people know about it- like dog clubs and flyball people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Dogs do not need to go to the vet for kennel cough, it is a virus and they should recover on their own, but it does take about 3 weeks. That said... there is a danger of them developing a secondary bacterial infection that would need to be treated by antibiotics. As long as they are generally ok, still eating and drinking, and the cough is a dry cough, they should be ok. If they seem to be very ill or the cough becomes wet sounding, get them to the vet ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periau Posted March 22, 2006 Author Share Posted March 22, 2006 Dogs do not need to go to the vet for kennel cough, it is a virus and they should recover on their own, but it does take about 3 weeks.That said... there is a danger of them developing a secondary bacterial infection that would need to be treated by antibiotics. As long as they are generally ok, still eating and drinking, and the cough is a dry cough, they should be ok. If they seem to be very ill or the cough becomes wet sounding, get them to the vet ASAP. Hi Daisy Thanks for that- is it 3 weeks from the onset of the cough they should be isolated? It is a dry cough- but one of them is spitting up water when they cough- after they have had a drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Yes, Benadryl (Chesty Cough) is great - I have only experienced once and did pick up some antibiotics from the vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Our dog had kennel cough after staying in boarding kennels. As it's a virus, easy to catch in that environment. Any sign of things worsening and I'd be off to the vet. We're probably not qualified to diagnose a a secondary bacterial infection . Antibiotics don't kill viruses, so it's not first line treatment, but may be prescribed if vet suspects secondary bacterial infection. Best wishes to your pooch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne_Fury Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 A trip to the vet can't hurt but I have always used benadryl with great results. Maybe give your vet a call and see what they suggest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 There are several threads on what you can use to combat KC...if you do a quick search you'll see what others have had success with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Em & Taco Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Taco got kennell cough the day after we got home as he came from the pound. Took him to my vet and he was prescribed antibiotic tablets and I was told not to let him near other dogs for 2-3 weeks as it is very contagious. He was better within 5 days but still kept him at home for about 2 weeks and would walk him when I knew hardly any dogs would be out and wouldn't not let him near anyone elses dogs. Cough mixture hey.... learn an new thing evryday and I have a bottle at home. SWEET!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periau Posted March 22, 2006 Author Share Posted March 22, 2006 off to the vet-he just called and wanted us to come in ASAP when he heard Alex coughing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periau Posted March 22, 2006 Author Share Posted March 22, 2006 It's official they have KC. The vet was concerned that Alex may have had a secondary infection- but he's ok- just gotta keep them quiet now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FHRP Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Bummer Peri. I have heard a number of dogs from the Flyball Nationals have come down with it :D Is that where you think your guys were exposed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periau Posted March 22, 2006 Author Share Posted March 22, 2006 Certainly is. And I was looking forward to obedience comp day on Sunday!!! Also Castle Hill flyball comp was on Sunday as well!!! Ah well- they have their antibiotics now and i have informed CDC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Hope they have a smooth recovery :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tawnydal Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 (edited) Can I ask a silly question..........and appoligize for hijacking your thread Peri......but can dogs still catch KC if they are vaccinated, with C5 that covers KC? Not having any experiance with KC but I do attend obediance and the occasional show. Edited March 22, 2006 by gracesmum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 KC is a virus like the flu, and it constantly mutates, so yes even if dogs are vaccinated they can catch one of the 'new' strains. My girl is vaccintaed and still caught KC when boarding for 4 days at Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periau Posted March 22, 2006 Author Share Posted March 22, 2006 hi gracesmum- yes they can still get it even if vaccinated- my dogs are vaccinated- they had a c6 last year- thats what their vacc card says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norskgra Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Can I ask a silly question..........and appoligize for hijacking your thread Peri......but can dogs still catch KC if they are vaccinated, with C5 that covers KC? Not having any experiance with KC but I do attend obediance and the occasional show. Yes they can still get KC when they have been vaccinated with C5. Mine came down with it and they have always been vaccinated with C5. They did get a milder dose of KC though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldielover Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 I think the vaccination only covers 2 of the many strains of kennel cough. Hope your dogs are feeling better soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tawnydal Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Thanks for that everyone........Something else to be paranoid about :D says she that will now attend obediance with a can of glen20 to spray around the other dogs .........no seriously what are the symptoms, coughing, a hacking dry cough or a chesty cough? Do the dogs get a temp? Do they go off there food etc? Thanks for youur patiance in explaining this to me as I have never seen it before. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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