She's been coughing for weeks, and it's not K.C.!

[SaraMM]

I am concerned about my girl's long-term coughing. She has had an unproductive hacking cough for a month now. We thought it was kennel cough, but after a trip to the vet last week we learned it was not. He checked her blood, which was fine, and gave her a thorough examination. He gave her a bordatella vaccine, just in case, and said it would boost her immune system. He deduced that it was either allergies or some kind of virus, though he was unsure of which. He gave us a week's worth of the doggie equivalent of benedryl, which we have been giving to her twice daily, and sent us on our way. She is still coughing up a lung for 10 minutes at least twice a day. Sometimes a bit of thick green mucus comes up, but that is all. I'm afraid she has some kind of lung congestion or canine flu and that it will develop into pnemonia since she has had the cough for so long and it is not getting any better. If anyone has any advice or anything to share at all, I'd appriciate it very much. She's fine other than the cough. Healthy appetite, drinks regularly, is very active. Thanks!

 

[KonaKoffe]

Sounds serious. I would see another vet for a second opinion asap.

 

[Dempseysmama]

yes please try another vet, maybe they can give you a cough suppressant or de-congestant. You're both in our thoughts! Keep us updated.

 

[courtney323]

He gave her a bordatella vaccine, just in case, and said it would boost her immune system.

How in the world does he think this vaccine would "boost her immune system"? Incidentally, since the Bordatella vaccine is a live virus, it is entirely possible that she now has kennel cough (developing kennel cough from the vaccine is somewhat common).

At any rate, I would be inclined to find a new vet and get another opinion. Good luck

 

[SaraMM]

You are probably right

I think you guys are right. I should go back for a second opinion. I'm just hesitant because I feel like I am overreacting. It is just a cough after all. If she were having other symptoms I wouldn't even hesitate. But she has never been sick before in her two years, so I know something is definately amiss. I will take her to a different vet and see what their diagnosis is. Thanks for the advice. I appriciate it so very, very much!

 

[Slobber Baby]

Poor thing! <<<hugs>>> to you and sending slobbery kisses to your baby!
Please find another vet asap...

Laura

 

[KonaKoffe]

No you are not overreacting. The fact that she is coughing up green mucous is a concern and could be a sign of an infection, which usually is treated with antibiotics not a vaccination. The fact that you are in Wisconsin would also concern me because that is one of the states having cases of the "dog flu" due to the greyhound racing tracks.

Try to get a recent sample of the mucos to bring into the vet. They MAY be able to run test on it.

Keep us posted.

 

[clemtigersc]

My puppy had the exact same thing and it took about 3 or 4 different antibiotics to clear it up. The vet finally did say that it was kc after all which I had figured that it was. It took us forever to get her cough to go away but it finally did. I would defiently get a second opinon.

 

[Indy B's Mom]

Oh, the poor girl. Ty and I are sending lots of healing vibes her way! Please keep us posted on your baby.

 

[JulieM]

Why did the vet say that it wasn't KC in the first place?

And I do have to agree, the vet giving a vaccination was a grevious error. Vaccines are only to be given to *healthy* dogs - a dog who is coughing and mucousy is *not* healthy!! I understand that a lot of owners don't realize this, but there's not excuse for a vet not to!