- By Admin
- •
- 23 Nov, 2017
- •
Kennel cough is a fairly common health condition among dogs and accompanied by a dry, hacking cough. Dogs with this illness may cough all day, especially if they are doing extra activity. Although it can be quite a nuisance, kennel cough is rarely life-threatening. If your dog was diagnosed with this cough, you should make him as comfortable as possible.
Here are seven useful tips for caring for a dog with kennel cough.
Give Your Dog Honey
Honey is beneficial for dogs with kennel cough because it contains many antioxidants, enzymes and flavonoids. If you give your dog Manuka honey, it may relieve his symptoms and make him feel better. The amount of honey you give your dog will depend on his size.
Large dogs need one tablespoon of honey a day, while medium dogs require two teaspoons. Smaller dogs only need one teaspoon of honey a day. If your dog does not want to eat honey, you could try mixing it in with one of his treats.
Use a Humidifier
Another way to make your dog feel more comfortable is to put a humidifier next to his bed. It will add moisture to the air, helping soothe your dog's dry cough.
Keep Your Dog Hydrated
If your pooch has kennel cough, it's especially important to make sure he drinks enough water. It will flush out the toxins in his body, which may help get rid of the virus faster. If your dog does not want to drink water, have him chew on ice cubes. Also, think about adding some chicken broth to your dog's water to make it more flavorful.
Avoid Exposing Your Dog to Smoke and Other Irritants
While your furry family member is recovering from kennel cough, you should keep him away from smoke and other irritants. If these chemicals get into your dog's airways, they can aggravate the cough. If you are a smoker, you should smoke far away from your dog.
If you want to clean your house, you should put your dog in a separate room until you are done. Households cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that may make your dog's cough worse.
Give Your Dog a Steam Treatment
Exposing your dog to steam can loosen up the gunk in his throat, relieving his cough. When it is time for you to take a shower, let your dog sit in the bathroom with you. Leave him in the bathroom for about 30 minutes. The steam might make your dog hot, so have a bowl of water in the bathroom for him to drink.
Encourage Your Dog to Rest
Adequate rest is one of the best remedies for kennel cough. If your dog gets plenty of sleep, it will give his body a chance to fight the virus and recover properly. Put your dog in a room by himself, away from kids and other pets. This way, he will not be disturbed while trying to rest.
Give Your Dog a Cough Suppressant
If your dog is coughing up a storm, you may consider giving him a cough suppressant such as Robitussin. This medicine is only intended to be used for a short time period and should only be given under a veterinarian's approval. A veterinarian will determine the correct dosage of Robitussin for your dog.
If you follow these tips, you can help your dog recover from kennel cough and become healthy again. However, if your dog's cough isn't going away, you should take him to an animal hospital. A
will examine your dog's condition and may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the cough.
Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), is a collection of diseases that includes pathogens like bordetella bronchiseptica, parainfluenza virus, herpesvirus, adenovirus and mycoplasma.
It’s associated with close-contact situations such as grooming facilities, animal shelters, competitions and parks. Transmission occurs via droplets released when dogs sneeze or cough, dog-to-dog contact and through contaminated items (door handles, food and water bowls). Typically, the incubation period lasts 2-10 days. Normally, diagnosis is made with a physical exam and a history of exposure. While tests can identify each possible pathogen, unless
something serious is suspected (such as distemper), a specific diagnosis is usually not pursued. Most cases of kennel cough are caused by viral illnesses, so antibiotics are not warranted. However, in cases where the risk of secondary bacterial infection is high, such as shelter situations, antibiotics may be prescribed. The antibiotic of choice is doxycycline. In cases where the coughing prevents rest, anti-tussives — such as hydrocodone, butorphanol or codeine — may be
prescribed. Anti-inflammatories such as steroids and non-steroidals have been used in the past, but they do not shorten the course of disease, so their usage provides questionable benefit. Usually the dog will recover within two weeks. In severe cases, however, pneumonia can develop and possibly become severe. Symptoms include labored breathing, a moist cough, high fever and nasal discharge. If pneumonia develops, more aggressive treatment is needed. This can sometimes
include hospitalization for IV-provided antibiotics, oxygen therapy and fluids. Vaccination is critical for prevention, and the vaccines are safe for puppies. Much like the flu virus in humans, a vaccine doesn’t prevent infection. Instead, it can lessen the severity of symptoms (such as the development of pneumonia) and the need for more aggressive, emergency care. Bordetella bronchiseptica is a lifestyle vaccine available for dogs at least 12 weeks old. It is
recommended for dogs that board, visit the grooming salon or play at dog parks. Not every dog may need this vaccine, so you should discuss it with your veterinarian. Highly social dogs benefit from vaccination
The basics
Prevention, exposure and recovery
This article has been reprinted with permission from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s DOGWatch Newsletter, published by Belvoir Media Group.
Subscribe online to DOGWatch Newsletter here.
Is there a good home treatment for kennel cough?
How to treat kennel cough without going to vet?
Pawtracks, Straight to Your Inbox.
- Ease your pet’s coughing. Coughing is miserable, but you can help soothe your pet by mixing a small amount of honey into warm water — ½ tablespoon to 1 full ...
- Make sure there’s enough humidity. Keeping your fur baby in a slightly humid environment is essential for keeping her respiratory tract moist.
- Keep your home clean. ...
- Change up their walks. ...
What medicine can you give Your Dog for kennel cough?
Kennel Cough Symptoms and Remedies Guide
- Honey/lemon hot water
- Coconut oil
- Steam therapy
- Cough medicine
How to prevent your dog from getting kennel cough?
- Give honey to your dog
- Invest in a humidifier
- Keep your dog hydrated and keep him away from irritants like smoke
- Treat your dog to a steam bath
- Encourage your dog to take it easy
- If your dog has a cough, give him a cough suppressant