My Dog Is Coughing

I've heard of something called kennell cough that dogs get when they are grouped with dogs in a contained area. I have a book on home remedies for dogs. It says to keep your dog in clean air and humidified air. Keep him away from other dogs as it is contagious. If coughing more than once an hour, give a cough suppressant formulated for humans that contains dextromethorphan (vicks 44d or robitussin max strength). But WITHOUT acetaminophen. 2 tsp for 40+ lbs. 1 tsp to 20 lb dog and 1/2 tsp to smaller dog. Slow, gentle walks to clear airways.

If you press gently on the front of the dog's throat, she will go into a coughing spasm if she has kennel cough. It will go away on its own in 7-10 days, but it can get worse leading to pneumonia (spitting up white foam). Normal dog rectal temp is 100.5-102.5'. Anything higher is fever. Loss of appetite and fever would need to be seen by vet.

Hope that helps.

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All of my dogs (5) came down with kennel cough after one went to get spayed. Kennel cough goes away on its own, and to help with the coughing you could give her honey, try putting it on some bread, mine loved it and it helped with the cough. Unless she is acting sick like not eating, lethargic, something like that I wouldn't worry. Dogs are not that fragile, don't let anyone scare you.

It sounds like kennel cough. Unless your dog was vaccinated for it before the kennel, he probably got it there. If that is what it is, you need to get him to the vet fast. It can be fatal.

I've had this type of issue with my dog a few times and it was actually allergies. Now, I'm not an expert but it is the allergy season for dogs so it may be the issue. Unfortunately allergy shots for dogs usually range from $80 - $100. Good luck in finding the problem and I hope your dog feels better soon!

A few months ago we took our dog into the vet and he tested positive for heartworms (caused by a mosquito bite). The one and only question the vet asked about prior to treatment and had us watch for after the treatment was coughing. I guess that is the biggest, most common symtom of heartworms. Not to scare you, but I would have your dog tested just in case.

It may be kennel cough... which I've heard of, but don't really know anything about. I would reserch it on the web and call your vet just to be safe.

It's possible that he contracted "kennel cough" while being boarded, but if his vaccinations are current, it's not probable. He most likely barked a lot while he was away from you, causing him to get very hoarse.

I wouldn't take a chance, though. Kennel cough can be life-threatening (like pneumonia) if it isn't treated.

Also, coughing can be a sign of heart problems. I had a dog when I was a child who had that symptom, and he had congestive heart failure.

I hope this doesn't scare you. Just have the vet listen to the dog's lungs. Hopefully the visit won't set you back too much.

Sounds like your dog has Kennel Cough. It is VERY contagious & if one dog has it you can bet the others will catch it too. My dog caught it a few years back bc I had to leave him at the kennel while vacationing as well. Trust me, RUN to the vet, it only gets worse left untreated & if you have neighbors w/dogs nearby they can catch it too - I guess it's airborne...

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&article...
Check out this link. It sounds like kennel cough, which is highly contagious in dogs. If its not too serious, then it will go away on its own. Unless you got him his Bordetella vaccine before you took him, this is probably the culprit. Many kennels require Bordetella, and should. Good luck!

hopefully it is just kennel cough and not heartworms. we just went thru heartworm treatment with our blue heeler (my husband hadn't had his dogs on prevention before we met) and it is SO expensive. worth it, but very expensive.

all of our dogs are on prevention now!

J.,

I am not prone to run to a doctor at the first sign of symptoms for me or my family, nor do I run to the vet with my pets for things that appear to be treatable. However, with your description, I encourage you to take your dog to the vet. Inactivity does not sound like an expression of anger to me, especially when it is coupled with a "throat noise." Perhaps he swallowed something that is hung in his air passage. IF the cough is indicative of something wrong that gets progressively worse, this could have outcomes that you would not want: such as the condition becoming untreatable and/or it might cost you MORE to treat the longer you wait. If he does not improve, you will regret NOT getting treatment.

Actually, the kennel may or may not have anything to do with the condition - and until you know what the condition is, it would be hard to tell (e.g. he might have swallowed something from your home or car just prior to going in to the kennel).

You also mention having left your "dogs" (plural.) Do the other dogs left at the kennel exhibit any symptoms? Also, have you spoken to the caregivers at the kennel to see if they (a) noticed any problems/symptoms when caring for your beagle, or (b) if they are have had an outbreak of any illness, like kennel cough?

Even though you are busy, I think it would be good to get your beagle in to the vet ASAP. Our pets are dependent upon us for care, as are our children. Like infants, they cannot tell us what they are feeling.

God bless you and your busy life - and best wishes on your beagle's health,
K.

P.S. - Perhaps the following is a scripture will make you smile. It specifically talks about how God feels about His creation and indicates how much He loves animals (CAPS added for emphasis):

Genesis 9:8-17 - Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, "Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with EVERY LIVING CREATURE that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and EVERY BEAST of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even EVERY BEAST of the earth. "I establish My covenant with you; and ALL FLESH... God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and EVERY LIVING CREATURE that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and THE EARTH. "It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and EVERY LIVING CREATURE of ALL FLESH; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy ALL FLESH. "When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and EVERY LIVING CREATURE of ALL FLESH that is on the earth. "And God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and ALL FLESH that is on the earth."

:) And regarding a regenerated earth and animals in heaven? Just my view, but I don't think God makes a covenant with "dust!"

It's probably kennel cough! You have to go to the vet for this one. very contagious! I took my yorkie to an animal rescue league once to check her out with another dog, and she caught it! Since you paid to have the kennel take care of your dog you might be able to get them to help cover the cost, but I will bet that they had you sign some kind of waiver when you brought the dog in! This is one reason why I would never board my dogs! So sorry you had to go through this, but definitely take your dog in.

It's really easy fortunately. Your dog has kennel cough. Just needs antibiotics- (but does have to have them-) We went through it with adopted puppy. It can go into pneumonia. Fredericksburg Road Veterinary Hospital (owned by Dr. Grandberry)on Fredericksburg Road (south of Crossroads mall) is a very loving, reasonably priced vet. we take our pets there even though we no longer live in the historic district because they are so good.
3493 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, Texas 78201
Phone: ###-###-####
I think they used to make payment plans. Good luck!

Yes, when you board a dog in a kennel he should be taken to the vet for a bordatella shot only because they sometimes come home sick with what is called a kennel cough, which is not good, he should be seen by a vet for meds. Good luck,

H.

He probably has kennel cough, which is a virus dogs pass on like a cold. But, it could be something else. You should take him to the vet if he is not better in a day or two.