The latter is commonly mistaken for the dog having something stuck in his throat. If possible, open his mouth to check for a stick or bone that is stuck. An alternative means of determining if a dog has something stuck in its throat is to offer the dog a treat to eat. A dog with something stuck in his throat will not be able to eat the treat, so if he eats and swallows it without difficulty, it is unlikely it has a foreign object in its throat. [4] X Research source Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis. Ford & Vade. Infectious Diseases of the Cat and Dog. Publisher: WB Saunders. 2nd edition.
For some dogs, this is so severe that they retch up saliva or froth. A dog that is vomiting because of nausea (rather than due to excessive coughing) will bring up yellow bile or food from the stomach. This is a likely a sign of some other problem. [6] X Research source Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis. Ford & Vade. Infectious Diseases of the Cat and Dog. Publisher: WB Saunders. 2nd edition.
It is always a good idea to get a dog that is coughing seen by your vet, but it is essential if the dog suddenly lacks energy or doesn’t eat for 24 hours. [7] X Research source Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis. Ford & Vade. Infectious Diseases of the Cat and Dog. Publisher: WB Saunders. 2nd edition.
A dog with kennel cough should not be taken on walks. Other dogs in the same household are potentially at risk. However, by the time the symptoms develop they have already been exposed, so keeping them separated from the sick dog at this stage provides no benefit. [9] X Research source Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Tilley & Smith. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.
The vet will perform a thorough physical examination, including taking the dog’s temperature, feeling the size of the lymph nodes in its throat, checking its mouth for a foreign object, and listening to its heart and lungs with a stethoscope. In the absence of a heart murmur, and if the veterinarian has a strong suspicion of kennel cough, he or she may suggest “diagnosis by treatment” rather than blood work and other expensive tests. If the dog then fails to respond to treatment as expected, further investigation may be needed. [11] X Research source Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis. Ford & Vade. Infectious Diseases of the Cat and Dog. Publisher: WB Saunders. 2nd edition. When you phone to make the appointment, tell the receptionist you suspect your dog has kennel cough. He or she may ask you to wait outside until the vet calls you in. This is to reduce the risk to other canine patients in the waiting room who might be exposed to infection.
Antibiotics are not appropriate in every case. This is because the infection may be viral, in which case antibiotics will not help, because it is the dog’s immune system that needs to fight and kill the infection. There is no way of differentiating bacterial from viral infections on the basis of a physical exam alone. [13] X Research source A field investigation of Kennel Cough - efficacy and different treatments. Thrusfield & Aitken. JSAP 32, 455. On the other hand, if your dog is not able to fight off the infection on its own, or if veterinarian finds the dog has a fever or hears signs of congestion in the dog’s chest, these can suggest the dog has a secondary bacterial infection as a result of the primary infection (which may be viral or bacterial). Under such conditions, an antibiotic may be prescribed. [14] X Research source A field investigation of Kennel Cough - efficacy and different treatments. Thrusfield & Aitken. JSAP 32, 455.
This helps to loosen any mucus in the dog’s chest, which can ease the cough. The process can be repeated as often as necessary throughout the day. [16] X Research source Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Tilley & Smith. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Never leave your dog unattended in the bathroom with hot water running, as it may scald itself.
Do not take the dog for walks. Not only is it an infection risk for other dogs, but the exertion (especially breathing in cold air) is likely to irritate your dog’s airways and make the cough worse. [17] X Research source Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Tilley & Smith. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.
A suitable cough medicine is a spoonful of children’s Robitussin DM. Give the dog about one teaspoon for every 20 pounds of weight. [19] X Research source Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Tilley & Smith. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Never give other human cough and cold remedies to a dog without consulting your veterinarian first. Administering the wrong dosage or ingesting certain active ingredients in drugs may cause serious health problems. [20] X Research source Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Tilley & Smith. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Ideally, give cough medicine just once in each 24 hour period.
This concoction can be given hourly, if necessary. [22] X Research source Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Tilley & Smith. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Never give this to a dog with diabetes, as the honey will be harmful. [23] X Research source Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Tilley & Smith. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.
These treatments are not scientifically proven, but anecdotal evidence suggests they may be of some benefit.
This vaccine is effective against the major causes of kennel cough and gives 12 months of protection. [27] X Research source A field investigation of Kennel Cough - efficacy and different treatments. Thrusfield & Aitken. JSAP 32, 455. Kennel cough is not typically a fatal condition, but it is a deeply unpleasant one. It is worth considering vaccination, especially if your dog is elderly or has other health problems. [28] X Research source A field investigation of Kennel Cough - efficacy and different treatments. Thrusfield & Aitken. JSAP 32, 455.
