Luka still has Kennel Cough, vet suggests 3 more days antibio's?

[Louise501]

Well Ruby seems better after a weeks antibiotics but Luka although better is still coughing. I rang the vet and he suggests 3 more days of antibio's, but his course ran out 3 days ago, do you think it will make a difference as the receptionist told me it will go away on it's own.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

My dog had it for a good month before it ever went away. Antibiotics won't help the cough unless it's a bacterian infection.

 

[Louise501]

Do you think if I gave him vitamin C every day it might help? I cook fresh meat for them at least 3 times a week.

 

[gmacleod]

Most cases of kennel cough last 2-4 weeks, so its not such a surprise that he's still coughing. It is suggestive that he may have a secondary infection though, so the vet's suggestion of additional antibiotics may not be a bad one (a little surprising and not recommended to have given them immediately though - antibiotics only work against bacteria; not viruses, and KC is a virus (like the common cold in humans)).

Vitamin C isn't really likely to make any difference. If his cough is quite bad AND is a dry cough (rather than a productive one) then you could try giving him some cough suppressent. Check carefully the active and minor ingredients though, as many cough suppressents for humans are toxic to dogs. Dextromorphan is generally considered safe for dogs. Info and doseage here: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=26+1303&aid=1395 Here is a short veterinary article about KC that might be a bit useful: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=452

 

[Louise501]

Thankyou, those articles are very interesting.

 

[katisblonde]

Kc

Your poor family! Kingston had kc really bad when he was little (the breeder was evil) it took several rounds of antibiotics before he felt better. The best thing the vet did for us was to reccomend family shower time. I would shower and lock him in the bathroom with me not turn on the vent and just let the steam build and build, it really helped him because I did it at night and Scott did it in the morning. That is the best homeopathic I can reccomend to you and your family If they had told us that at first I think he would have gotten better sooner, oh yeah and fish oil they told us is like a multivitamin to dogs so that might help as well. Good luck.

 

[Gruntsmom]

Sorry to hear Luka still has kennel cough. Sending more healing vibes to Luka and Ruby too, and hopes that they will both be completely recovered soon.

 

[SillySherlok]

No no

Sherlock has had KC twice now and both times, I just let it pass through. The retching and coughing is awful and makes you feel it could be worse than it really is. I personally am NOT a fan of antibiotics UNLESS there is just cause. KC in dogs is simply, a common cold in humans and we have to let time pass in order to rid ourselves of that strain. Antibiotics are good for INFECTIONS, but not viral as everyone is saying. If your vet is recommending another round of antibiotics, I would ask why or ask for another consult in order to go with them. Prescribing them blindly shouldn't be done, as it suppresses the immune system.

I would let it pass and you can give a tablespoon of honey 2x per day for coughing. I did it instead of cough medicine and it worked just as well and it's natural.

 

[Codabear]

Coda had kennel cough for over a month when she was really young. The vet tried 3 different oral anti's and finally ended with a spray type antibiotic that they place over the nose and that seemed to work.