New member from Pa - needs help

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Sissue

Boxer Pal
Hello. I am a new member and a new Mom of a 12 week old flashy fawn from the Northeast Boxer Rescue. I found this site while up all night with our 2 year old Boxer, Remey, who cought kennell cough from the new puppy. Apparently, the new little one, Gus had the nasal Bordatella when he was dropped off at the shelter and since it was a live virus, his big sister became symtomatic. I have a few questions...first, it's been a week since the kennell cough started and it dosn't seem to be easing up. She is taking all of the reccomended natural remedies listed in one of the threads as well as an antibiotic to stave off any secondary infection. How long would before we start to see some relief? She is sleeping through the night, now but as soon as she gets up the hacking starts. Second, do we need to get rid of all their toys? After our kids are sick, we replace their toothbrushes and disinfect their bed clothes so as to not reinfect. Is it the same for this type of infection or will she build up an immunity? Lastly, what are the chances of our two cats and the puppy being infected? Alot of these questions have been posed to and answered by our Vet but I'm looking for the "in the trenches" answers. Thanks.
 

Baileysmom

Boxer Insane
Well, as far as I can remember kennel cough lasts a while. Its just like a cold that we get - it just takes time to run through its course.
For the cough - Honey!! its a cough supressent and really does help to relieve the cough.
As for the toys, I wouldn't get rid of them, but you might want to give them a good disenfecting just to be on the safe side.
And with the puppy I would take the vets advice on that. If she is the one that gave your older dog the cough, it may already be through her system. But check with the vet to see what he recomends.
Bailey had kennel cough and If I remember correctly it lasted like 2-3 weeks even with all the antibiotics!!
I have two cats and they both were fine. Although I did keep her away from other dogs during that time!!
I would definatley check with your vet though.
Hope Remey feels better soon.
 

Jan

Reasonable Moderator
Staff member
I really don't think that you need to get rid of the toys. They will probably have immunity to that particular strain of kennel cough, unfortunately it is like the common cold and there are hundreds of strains so even if they are vacinnated for kennel cough, they can still get it. :( It will probably last around 3 weeks or so. Try giving honey as it really will help with the cough. I do not agree with the use of antibiotics though of the off chance that they get a secondary infection. The over use of antibiotics is dirrectly responsible for the develpment of antibiotic resistent diseases. :( Antibiotics do not help with viruses.
 

Dakodas Mom

Boxer Buddy
A little on kennel cough

KENNEL COUGH

Canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in dogs. Fortunately, the majority of cases are not serious resolving on their own in 1 to 2 weeks .
Kennel cough can be caused by a number of different airborne bacteria (such as Bordetella bronchiseptica) and viruses (such as canine parainfluenza) or a mycoplasma (an organism somewhere between a virus and a bacteria). Typically, more than one of these pathogens (disease-causing agents) must bombard the dog at once to trigger illness. Such a multifaceted attack is most likely to occur when a dog spends time in close quarters with many other dogs.
The primary sign of kennel cough is a dry- sounding, spasmodic cough caused by pathogens that induce inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (air passages into the lungs). . . But if you suspect your dog has kennel cough, isolate it from other dogs and call your veterinarian.


. Don’t share your dog’s toys or food and water bowls with other dogs, kennel cough can be passed around, and if your dog is in an indoor kennel or show, make sure the indoor area is adequately ventilated so airborne organisms are transferred outside.

You could aslo ask your veterinarian to prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent any secondary bacterial infection and a cough suppressant. I have found in some cases that I delt with regardiging kennel cough, the use of a relatively new antibiotic, azithromycin, to be effective. This medication is very effective in the treatment of the mycoplasmal forms of tracheobronchitis. You also should be cautious because kennel cough can go into pneuomonia. I hope this was some help to you,
 

Sissue

Boxer Pal
It's getting better...

Thank you, everyone, for the plethra of information. Remey, ironically her name is short for Remedy(...we adopted her after our 8 year old german shepherd died from mitral-valve insufficiency), is doing much better. I was overreacting, because of all the bouts of CHF that we had with our Tasha, our shepherd. Remey is on the mend and I know so because she is refusing to take the honey that she has lapped up the last week and a half. Thanks, again...I'm really happy I found this place.
 
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