MY POOR DOG HAS A COUGH.

[TitiBebbs]

My 1 y/o American Bull has suddenly come up with a terrible sounding and looking cough. He's a strictly outdoor pooch with one bud (our 2 y/o Blue Heeler) outside with him. We have to keep them both chained on a trolley because they have been getting to the chickens and the elder one chases cars. My boy broke his trolley line and we had to re-rig it, but it has some slack it it now. The other dog is on a trolley that runs in a different direction. However they can meet and play by the food and water dishes. They have gotten tangled a few times but I thought I'd fixed it. Last night, he got wrapped around again, but not as badly as he has before. In addition, because we live on 40 acres of woods, there are plenty of animals to get their attention and they also bark at passing cars (few, but still) so they bark quite a bit. This morning, Boots started gagging, (now I know it is coughing) and hacking. I took him off the lead and let him free range. He's definitely coughing less, but when he does, my heart breaks.

I've been looking for information and come across "Kennel Cough" as a possibility. We did the "test" and sure enough, he coughed. Now What?!?!? Ds is clearing the laundry room so we can bring him inside and let him rest. This way we can remove his collar and keep him warm and calm. Plus, he smells really bad. I'm sure it is unrelated, but even after a good bath, PU! Does anyone have any advice for my poor baby. I'd take him to the Dr., but it is Sunday in a small town. And I'm a teacher so, I can't easily take the day off tomorrow. Is it possible safe to give him Robitussin or something? I had a dog years ago who got sore muscles from swimming and Dr. told us to give him an Ecotrin Asprin. Just hoping for something. Tomorrow, he must go back outside and I'm worried about him.

 

[Redfeathers]

Hi

I know what you are going through, I have two show dogs and this past summer there was a round of Kennel cough going through the local shows and sure enough one of my boys caught it and then a week later my other dog caught it from him. I don't think the Robbitusin helps at all. I bought some and it just didn't calm his cough at all. It got so bad that he was constantly gagging up foamy flem and wouldn't eat. One of my friends is a vet tech and she told me it is rough but the best way to deal with it is to just ride it out. If it gets really bad, call the clinic and tell them what he/she has and they might prescribe something to help. Some times they don't want you to bring the dog in because it's so contagious. It took almost two weeks for Flynn to stop coughing (the second dog that caught it from the first) Liam my original dog that caught it, only had it about a week. Flynn was miserable and I felt horrible but it did pass, just keep your dog warm and away from your other dog or it will get it for sure. Good luck and hang in there, it's just like having a child with a bad cold.

 

[speckledhen]

I doubt it's the case with a dog as young as yours, but a cough is also a sign of congestive heart failure. Hope you manage to get him well soon.

 

[helmstead]

My older Lab mix, Eddie, came down with this when he was a young dog (which is why I now vaccinate religiously for it because it is SO avoidable).

It will generally run its course without complications. It's a typical virus. Still, keep a vigilant eye for ANY sign of bacterial infections (yellow snot, fever) or blood in the mucous...both signs you must get him to the vet for treatment.

 

[chickbea]

Make sure he has no contact with other dogs, as this is so highly contagious.

 

[snugglepup]

It can also be a sign of a bruised/collapsing trachea. If he's on a tie-out and pulls against his collar a lot, he would be at risk for damaging his trachea.

 

[purplebaby]

my dog had this and we used antibiotics and robutussin for kids (as recommended by vet) i dont remember the amounts used but i am sure it is also listed on the internet. she slept alot and we kept her warm. the other dogs had to be kept from her or risk infection. try the merk manual, that might be where i got the info. i will look around and see if i can find the info.......
sleep water warmth are the most important things.

 

[Cara]

Is your dog on heartworm preventative?

Please don't risk human cough medicine, one active ingredient is poisonous to dogs.

 

[bantymum]

Hi sorry to hear this. Try some finely chopped fresh garlic (teaspoon)
in his food. That heals lots of things and kills stomach bugs!
Good luck

 

[silkhope]

Don't have a lot of time to read over everything but I second the heartworm prevention question. I'd get him to a vet before giving him anything.

Ashley