question about kennel cough

[Lava Linda]

When I was at Petco today, there were SPCA adoptions available. There was one little dog, about a 15 pound, 2 year old, little terrier mix, that looked just awful. She was listless, hanging her head, with profuse greenish nasal discharge. I was very concerned about her, and asked if she was on treatment. They assured me that she "just had a cold", and they were treating her for kennel cough.

Do dogs get that sick from kennel cough? She really looked terrible, poor little thing. She definitely shouldn't have been out in public. I'd imagine her foster mom didn't want to leave her home alone for the day, so I won't criticize the wonderful SPCA volunteers.

 

[JulieM]

Yes, kennel cough can get kind of nasty like that. Sometimes there will be phlegm and nasal discharge, sometimes just the hacking cough. Depends on the strain. (Kennel cough is sort of like the human cold, in that there are several different infections all lumped together under "kennel cough" - which makes the vaccine just about worthless, IMO.) Like a cold, it typically goes away on its own, but will also respond well to treatment. Pneumonia is a common secondary infection, so you have to really listen to the coughing, and if it starts to sound "wet" have the dog checked out.

Julie

 

[Aimee]

Lexi had a horrible case of kennel cough. Hers started out with a dry hacking cough that got so bad in 24 hours that when she coughed it literally brought her to the floor. I took her to the vet immediately (she just had a bordetella injection 2 1/2 weeks prior :mad: ) but she got worse before she got better even on the medication. She had no discharge of any kind but loss of appetite and she was definantly listless. It was horrible! It took Lexi about 10-15 days to fully recover and she was on antibiotics and 1000mg a day of cough supressant! I must say though, all rescues are wonderful but never ever bring a sick dog or one being treated for kennel cough out into a public place where others bring their dogs. It is highly contagious! Poor little guy, I sure hope he gets better soon.

 

[Jaelle]

I just bough a little boxer and she has kennel cough. As my vet said, it's not something to worry about when it's treated early. My Pénéloppe is taking medication for 7 days now, she's still coughing a bit but her nose is not running anymore (but it was white or transparent, not like yours), and she's playing and running everywhere. The vet says it's very contagious, and it may take as long as one month to come back to normal.

 

[Lava Linda]

Thanks for the info. Now I won't worry quite so much. They did have the dog inside the store with the cats, not in front with the rest of the dogs.
What a nasty disease!!!

 

[Tararifik]

My Angel has kennel cough too! She is on an antibiotic. I never knew that dogs could catch colds like humans do. She has a nasal discharge and a hacking cough. It sounds terrible but she is happy and energetic and the vet said not to worry.