Should I have taken Monty to the Vet?

[monty'smum]

I recently posted about Monty's cough, He was really poorly for about three days. As it was over the weekend it would have been difficult getting a vets appointment but I would have certainly called the emergency vet if I'd felt it was needed. I read up on all past threads and got so much information. Monty coughed and retched and it was heartbreaking to watch but I kept him as quiet as I could and stayed up wih him in the night. Sunday was the worst day he just wanted to be on his own and just slept and slept. He was not interested in any food and apart from going out to the toilet a couple of times literally slept for 24 hours. The next morning I got up ready to call the vet for an appointment. Monty stood up shook himself and went to eat all the food I'd left down for him. It was only some chicken and plain pasta but he wolfed it down. Since then he has just got better and better.

Its now Friday and he still gives an occasional cough but apart from that he is just back to his normal lunatic self. Its just 7 days since he first coughed, this was after playing with Sophie. Obviously my sister has been watching for signs in her. Reading about Kennel cough it said the incubation period was 3-4 days. This morning my sister rang to say Sophie had been up all night coughing. I think she thought as it was 7 days later, Sophie wasn't going to get it.
I am now feeling very guilty. My sister took Sophie to the vet this afternoon, he confirmed it was kennel cough, gave her two injections and prescribed her a weeks antibiotics. I feel so bad, should I have called the vet?. I'm so glad Monty is back to his normal self but I'm a bit peeved with my sister. I had been on the phone all the time to her and she just encouraged me to hang on until Monday. Yet even though she knows Monty had a few bad days and is now better, off she goes day one and gets medical treatment for Sophie.

 

[JulieM]

Do you go to the doctor every time you have a cold? It's the same theory. Unless it goes into the lungs, kennel cough is not a life-treatening disease, and I think you were perfectly right to not take Monty to the vet. What a healthy immune system he has!

 

[Saywinboxers]

dog coughing

Do not beat your self up, you did the right thing you read up on the issue and made your decision. Julie is correct on the issue of Kennel cough, its a viral infection, and just like people Doctors, animal Dr.s often over prescribe antibiotics too. I think its more to ease the owners, of course there are times when this infection can progress and aggressive treatment is needed. But it usually runs its course in 2-3 weeks. Keep him quarantined from other dogs and parks etc...until then Cindy

 

[PGIBSON]

pill pushing...

You did good! You were always aware and medical help was always a zip away if things got serious. Don't you think your whole house was happier not having the issue of pushing pills? Remember the scenario: begging, hoping, praying the cheese works this time... Good ol chicken broth!!!

You know what's best for your bud, maybe your sister wishes she wasn't so quick to conclude at this point. I would not loose sleep! Different strokes for ...

 

[kimbub]

Good job!

He's fine now, so I wouldn't worry about it. Just think, YOU didn't have to spend money on a vet bill, unlike some other people you know...

 

[monty'smum]

Thanks everyone.

Monty is back in tip top condition. Sophie is fine too, she is following Monty exactly it seems day by day. Whilst I can't say if it hadn't been the weekend I wouldn't have been tempted to take him to the vet, knowing what Monty went through each day I'm sure if it had been the other way round I would have waited.
My sister payed £50.00 for the treatment and perhaps I'm reading between the lines but somewhere along the line Monty caught it first and so little niggles about expense etc "where on earth did he pick it up from", sneak into our conversation. I'm having to turn a deaf ear to it all.