Kennel cough? New puppy mom is concerned ):
Anyway
My puppy got vaccinated for kennel cough (he's 11-weeks-old now, got the vaccination at 9-weeks since we go to doggie obedience), but I'm pretty sure he's displaying some signs of it. We go to a training/socialization place twice a week and he's in a lot of contact with dogs. He hasn't done the coughing/retching thing, but sometimes I can hear him breathing and it sounds clogged (or like he's snorting every so often), and he sneezes an awful lot. He also, yesterday, woke up with the nastiest gooiest eyebooger in one of his eyes. He's my first puppy, and I'm concerned, but he has a vet appointment on the 5th (for his final shots), and my vet is generally busy, so I probably wont be able to get him in earlier without making it an emergency trip. And if it's an emergency trip it'll probably cost more and...gah.
I want him to be okay. He's not lethargic, although I'm making him rest because another dog lives with us and (just in case) I don't want him to get her sick. So he's trapped in my room until he starts sounding better. He's just so sneezy! But he still wants to play, and still wants to eat (oh my goodness, does he want to eat)
I guess I'm just looking for advice. He has an appointment in a week, but I don't want him to DIE from me not doing anything. Yes, I'm a hypochondriac and the fact that I read "in some cases pneumonia and death" under what can happen has made me freak out for the well-being of my Oliver!
Any advice/ways to alleviate the sneezing. No coughing yet, he doesn't keep me up, he's just a sneezy clogged up dog.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Julia on
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Oh, he's just too cute to be sick :)
But seriously, the Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine takes a few weeks to become fully effective. So even if your dog is vaccinated, he may not yet be fully protected. Also, kennel cough is a catch-all term for a number of upper respiratory infections. Basically, it means the dog has a cold. The vaccine covers many, but not all, of the bugs that can cause that cold.
I would consider two things when worrying about a dog with kennel cough: his age and health, and his stress level. when my two dogs (recently vaccinated) came home with k.c. from a boarding kennel, the young, healthy corgi had quite a case of the sneezes for days, but she was fine. My 15 year old boy, though, just got sicker and sicker, and his recovery was difficult.
A dog in a loving, non-stressful home (unlike the shelter dogs I work with. Being cooped up, bored, and feeling sick isn't what I mean by stressed) who catches a cold will most likely get over it, just like you would. An old dog in a shelter or being boarded, like mine, would be the type of dog who would most likely fall under that "in some cases pneumonia or death" that has you so worried.
So take your vet's advice. As long as Oliver is eating and not lethargic, his k.c. is probably no worse than a cold would be for you. But do call your vet if you feel uneasy, if something doesn't seem right. You know your pup. Considering how much you'll be paying him in the years to come, he owes you a few phone calls.
You are right to consider that k.c. is contagious, as long as there are symptoms that spread it around, like sneezing. So if you're concerned about the other dog's health, you should isolate Oliver, and be sure to wash your hands. He can still go outside and play if he wants.
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Permalink Reply by Micah Jo Moore on
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Thanks for making me feel better!
So here's another issue that I don't know the answer to.
Oliver has gotten the other house dog sick. They're both still very active, and they cry to play with each other constantly -- but I'm still keeping Oliver in quarantine. Is it okay for two dogs who have kennel cough to play together? Or will that make the issue worse?
Thanks if anyone has an answer :D
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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Hi Micah, no, it would not be okay, please continue with the quarantine for now. Get well soon!
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The dogs may be sick with two different bugs, so they could reinfect each other with a second infection. Best to keep them separate for the time being. Is Oliver still eating? playing and running around?
BTW: Love the name. I named my recent 5-yr-old rescue Oliver because he was an orphan who'd been passed around from home to home to home before we found him. Sort of like Oliver Twist.
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