Kennel cough

[Mayblossom]

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Lily, who will be 13 this year, has kennel cough and is affecting her badly, poor girl. She’s had it a few times over the years but lasted a few days and she’s recovered fine. Due to her being older and hasn’t been herself lately anyway took her to the vets who put her on antibiotics and anti inflammatories a couple of days ago, thought she seemed a bit brighter yesterday and was eating ok , still coughing but not as bad until bedtime when she just coughs all night, had her by my bed but she was so bad I’ve had to go downstairs with her where she seems more comfortable but still the occasional cough, just hate seeing her like this I know it can be serious in younger or older dogs and keeping everything crossed she recovers ok. Has anyone any experience of this and is there anything else I can do to make her feel better as it breaks my heart seeing her like this, poor girlie

 

[JudyN]

I've no experience of this, but do hope she gets better very soon. (((Hugs))) to you and Lily.

 

[Mayblossom]

Thanks Judy x

 

[Finsky]

Lily, who will be 13 this year, has kennel cough and is affecting her badly, poor girl. She’s had it a few times over the years but lasted a few days and she’s recovered fine. Due to her being older and hasn’t been herself lately anyway took her to the vets who put her on antibiotics and anti inflammatories a couple of days ago, thought she seemed a bit brighter yesterday and was eating ok , still coughing but not as bad until bedtime when she just coughs all night, had her by my bed but she was so bad I’ve had to go downstairs with her where she seems more comfortable but still the occasional cough, just hate seeing her like this I know it can be serious in younger or older dogs and keeping everything crossed she recovers ok. Has anyone any experience of this and is there anything else I can do to make her feel better as it breaks my heart seeing her like this, poor girlie

I assume that the vet has done physical exam for your dog...listened your dog's heart etc? There is other health conditions that do have same/similar symptoms that can be mistakenly 'read' as kennel cough...hence me asking about physical exam.
It could help for not to use normal dog collar as that can irritate her throat making her even more cough prone...try harness instead. I don't think there is huge amount you can do...it is case of getting those meds to work and her immune system to deal with it but as your little one is elderly girl, recovery can take longer than 'norm'.

 

[Hemlock]

No advice, but wishing her a speedy recovery. Hugs to you.

 

[Mayblossom]

I assume that the vet has done physical exam for your dog...listened your dog's heart etc? There is other health conditions that do have same/similar symptoms that can be mistakenly 'read' as kennel cough...hence me asking about physical exam.
It could help for not to use normal dog collar as that can irritate her throat making her even more cough prone...try harness instead. I don't think there is huge amount you can do...it is case of getting those meds to work and her immune system to deal with it but as your little one is elderly girl, recovery can take longer than 'norm'.

 

[Mayblossom]

Thank you Finsky, yes, vet did an examination and said her heart was fine and confirmed it was kennel cough ( guess we have to trust them ) when she had it a couple of years ago it cleared quite quickly and didn’t affect her at all. We use a harness on her as if we see a cat she will try and ‘play’ with it and pulls so hard to try and follow it! She’s only on day 2 of her meds so I shouldn’t expect miracles but I worry so much about her as she gets older. Before she picked up this cough she seemed really down and a bit fed up with life and I honestly thought she wouldn’t be with us much longer but maybe this virus was already in her system , hoping she picks up very soon and I’ll have to be patient and just make sure she’s doing ok, back at the vets in a week to see if the meds have done their job. Thanks for your advice, much appreciated xx

 

[niamh123]

My boys had Kennel Cough a few months ago I used some Manuka honey and childrens Benylin cough medicine ,an older gentleman who works his Working Cockers who lives nearby told me to add cinnamon to their food as cinnamon is an inflamatory.Liam and Ronnie got over the Kennel cough quite quickly but Floyd the Jrt had it for around 2 weeks

 

[Mayblossom]

My boys had Kennel Cough a few months ago I used some Manuka honey and childrens Benylin cough medicine ,an older gentleman who works his Working Cockers who lives nearby told me to add cinnamon to their food as cinnamon is an inflamatory.Liam and Ronnie got over the Kennel cough quite quickly but Floyd the Jrt had it for around 2 weeks

 

[Mayblossom]

Thank you Niamh, I tried her with honey but she won’t take it, being really fussy at the moment with everything, it’s a struggle to get her meds down her. Tried sleeping downstairs again but as yet haven’t had any sleep , really hoping this gets better very soon as it’s not doing either of us any good did manage to read nearly a whole book though ….would rather a good nights sleep

 

[JuliaH]

Our puppy (just under 1 at the time) had it in July and, although it didn't seem to affect her general wellbeing, the cough carried on for nearly 4 weeks. I was going to suggest honey too as our vet suggested it. Cleo loved it (but eats anything). We dissolved it in some warm water. Good luck to your girl.

 

[Mayblossom]

Thank you Julia, have been to see the vet again as Lily was not doing well , checked her over again, heart was fine, temperature normal so that was good as was a little high previously. Gave me some anti inflamms to take along with the antibiotics ( which she’s doubled the dose ) having enough problems getting her to take the ones we have her cough doesn’t seem quite so bad as I managed 6 hours sleep ! Encouraging to hear it can last longer than a week or so , makes me feel able to cope with it ,I find it really stressful because she won’t take her meds, had to get them in her mouth this morning and an hour later she was sick and brought everything back up…..all over the carpet and she dived under the table to do it so I had no chance of getting her outside , do feel for the poor girlie though at least she’s quite perky and had a nice gentle walk today ….without a single cough ! Luckily no other dogs around so didn’t have to keep doing detours