Kennel Cough

PuppyLove_2

Hi guys!

I got a new little puppy on saturday and by Sunday he was coughing! Been to the vets who has diagnosed kennel cough.

Does anyone know how long this lasts? He has given us a weeks worth of antibiotics.

My other dog has been vaccinated against kennel cough but im worried he could still catch it off the new puppy? The older dog goes to doggie daycare once a week, do you think it would still be ok to send him there on friday? He hasnt shown any signs of coughing.....yet!

fawny

Hiya,

Your poor puppy, please keep a close eye on her/him as it can affect the young one quite bad. My springer had it when she was about 6 months & it was a good 3 weeks before she got over it. We were told to keep her away from other dogs as it's very contagious. We now have her vaccianted against it & touch wood she has not had it again but the vet said she could still get it as kennel cough is a bit like our flu in that it mutates, so i'd keep an eye on your other dog too.

PuppyLove_2

Thanks for the reply!

I know, i feel so sorry for him, hes only 9 weeks old and so tiny! Someone i work withs parents bought him and then decided they couldnt handle a puppy so were going to put him in a rescue. Needless to say i ended up with him! They had been letting him go out of the cat flap into the garden and been letting him meet other dogs before he was vaccinated :mad:

Apart from the cough he's absolutely fine, really bright and running around like a maniac and terrorising our other dog

The vet has said that if he gets lethargic etc then to bring him straight back.

Sukey

I'm sorry to hear about your new pup. Hope he's on the mend soon.
Please don't send your adult dog to doggy daycare as kennel cough is extremely contagious.
BTW, puppy pics please!

Hillbilly1

Has new pup been wormed? Worms cause coughing and can be a sign of a heavy infestation. They need worming every 2 weeks at that age.

PuppyLove_2

Hes been wormed, the vet said the same thing and thought it might be that. He almost certaintly had worms but now this has cleared up the cough is still there which is why the vet now thinks kennel cough.

Hes had a weeks course of antibiotics which finish today and he has another vet appt tonight. The cough seems slightly better but it gets bad a night and after he has been playing. Im still worried as i dont think he has been well looked after, hes very bright and alert though and eating lots which is a good sign

krlyr

Another thing to consider, which often presents with similar symptoms to kennel cough, is lungworm. Hard to detect (think diagnose is generally a lung wash, or taking faecal samples over several days to detect larvae) so vets often like to treat for it regardless if they suspect it - it can do a lot of damage to the lungs all the time it goes undiagnosed. Not all wormers will treat lungworm, the only treatments are Panacur (half-dose for at least 10 days) or Advocate spot-on (two doses, a month apart, to treat fully) - Milbemax will reduce an infestation but not completely clear it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lungworm
http://www.barrieranimalcareclinic.co.uk/lungworm.htm

My mum's pup had it, she thought it might be KC but as pup had been rehomed from an area rife with lungworm (Wales) and she also lived in an area where it was cropping up more and more (the South East) the vet felt it was quite likely it was lungworm so started treatment, and pup soon recovered

PuppyLove_2

I did ask the vet if he thought it may be lungworm,he said he didnt think so as when he coughs he oftens gags at the end and bit of clear bile come up and he said this is not a symptom of lungworm and more kennel cough. We are in the south east though and the people we got him from were letting him in and out of the garden by way of cat flap so he could well of eaten slugs!

I'm going to mention it again tonight. I did worm him with panacur and he is supposed to be having advocate tonight. Would Panacure get rid of lungworm?

krlyr

Panacur will treat it but not at normal worming dose, it has to be an extended course (this says 7 days, some vets feel 10-14 is better)

http://www.msd-animal-health.co.uk/products_public/panacur_10__liquid/090_product_datasheet.aspx

For the control of lungworm Oslerus (Filaroides) osleri in dogs administer 1ml per 2kg bodyweight daily for 7 consecutive days.
(= 50mg fenbendazole/kg bodyweight daily for 7 days).
A repeat course of treatment may be required in some cases

Advocate will treat it, though a second dose needs to be given in a month's time (first dose will remove most of infestation, second dose will catch any remaining larvae that's not yet hatched etc)

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Bayer_plc/Advocate_Spot-on_Solution/-38248.html

Treatment and Prevention of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Dogs)
A single dose should be administered. A further veterinary examination 30 days after treatment is recommended as some animals may require a second treatment.
In endemic areas regular four weekly application will prevent angiostrongylosis and patent infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum.

Not sure why they're listed as two different types of lungworm but presumably the treatment works for either kind as I've not heard otherwise from my vets or read any differently online.
I treat mine with Advocate on a monthly basis since I'm in the South East and have dogs who would happily much on slugs and snails (and we get plenty on our garden). Not hugely keen on chemical treatments on a regular basis but better than permanent lung scarring/damage, or worse (I've heard of a couple of fatalities due to lungworm in a GSD walking group I sometimes attend semi-locally)

PuppyLove_2

My older dog gets treated with advocate on a monthly basis but i think cos my pup is only 10 weeks and he had an upset tummy thats why they gave his the panacur, this was only given to him for 3 consecutive days though, which as you say isnt going to treat lungworm.

The vet said he wont have Panacur anymore he will now go on to advocate.