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Ask the Vet About Kennel Cough in Dogs and Cats
Ask the Vet About Kennel Cough in Dogs and Cats
Dr. Michael Dym
As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Dym has over 19 years of experience and dedication to enhancing the overall health and well-being of pets. His commitment and passion for pet health continuously drives him to learn more about the art and science of homeopathy through ongoing training and education.
Submit Your QuestionDate: Jul 21, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: My dog And groundhog
Question:My dog ran down a groundhog and kill it. Should I be concerned?
Answer:If s/he is well vaccinated for Rabies and didn't sustain a puncture wound, they are usually fine.
Date: Jul 20, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Kennel Cough
Question:I am Boxer/American Bulldog mix (75 lbs). My dog stayed a kennel last week while I was out of town, and came home with a cough, the kennel let us know that another dog owner advised them that their dog had kennel cough. My dog is eating/drinking as normal but is hacking. Is there anything I could give OTC to help, without having to go through a vet visit?
Answer:With kennel cough, if they are eating and have relatively normal energy levels, we don't treat them with anything - just let their body heal on it's own. If the coughing goes on for a long time (many days) and becomes non-productive (dry, not coughing anything up), here is a link to our article about treating kennel cough with many treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/kennel-cough-treatment-dog-cat-44.html
Date: Jun 13, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Kennel Cough
Question:Hi, I have 3 Yorkies who picked up kennel cough from the groomers. I was able to get 1 into the vet and was diagnosised with it. The other 2 cannot get in to see the vet for at least 6 weeks. I saw on here I can give Mucinex cough medicine for children but it does not say how much. My babies weigh 7lbs and 12.5 lbs. Also one of the 7 lbs might be pregnant, is it safe for her? If not what is? Thank you.
Answer:No definitely don't give it to the pregnant one. I am not a fan of cough suppressants in dogs with kennel cough - they are coughing for a reason - to get the infection up and out - if you suppress it down in their chest they can get pneumonia.
Date: May 8, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Kennel cough
Question:My male yorkie almost 4 years old (intact) began hacking like he was trying to vomit or regurgitate something. I googled the symptoms and got kennel cough. He does not have contact with other dogs but does go on public walks. I cant afford a vet visit. Can he get over it at home? No fever. Just an annoying cough. How can i make him more comfortable? Is it true a little honey can help? Can i get antibiotics online and skip a vet visit?
Answer:Dogs will cough for many reasons (heartworms, sensitive trachea, kennel cough and other infectious reasons, bronchitis, heart failure, cancer, etc etc).While coughing may be self-limiting in some cases, in other cases coughing may become severe or chronic and require veterinary evaluation and exam. Stool testing for parasites and chest x rays may be indicated. Blood work is also necessary in some cases, as well as to test for heartworm disease in dogs and cats. Here is a link to our article about coughing, other potential causes and various treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/common-causes-coughing-pet-54.htm
Date: Apr 21, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: My 8 week old puppy
Question:How can I get a prescription for Clavamox
Answer:In veterinary medicine, a veterinarian that has met your pup locally, face-to-face, legally has to approve the prescription.
Date: Mar 28, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Can I give clavamox
Question:My 3 month Morkie started coughing yesterday and today is lethargic. His sister with another family went to the vet and has respiratory infection. My vet is closed until Monday but I have a prescription for Clavamox 125 mg from previous. Can I give that until I see my vet on Monday?
Answer:If you already have the prescription for the Clavamox, yes. This is the Ask the Vet section so I don't know much about the ordering side but I imagine you just put the Clavamox in your cart like you are ordering it and it will ask you to upload the prescription - if not, call the 1-800-Petmeds number for assistance. Here is a link to Clavamox: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Clavamox-prod3319.html
Date: Mar 28, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: When she is excited.
Question:Otherwise seems fine
Answer:Dogs will cough for many reasons (heartworms, sensitive trachea, kennel cough and other infectious reasons, bronchitis, heart failure, cancer, etc etc).While coughing may be self-limiting in some cases, in other cases coughing may become severe or chronic and require veterinary evaluation and exam. Stool testing for parasites and chest x rays may be indicated. Blood work is also necessary in some cases, as well as to test for heartworm disease in dogs and cats. Here is a link to our article about coughing, other potential causes and various treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/common-causes-coughing-pet-54.htm
Date: Feb 28, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Kennel cough
Question:My 9 yr old tea-cup Yorkie is honking, congested, and sneezing. We believe it's kennel cough because we just adopted a rescue dog who had similar symptoms and his cleared up on it's own. We don't know how to treat this in our Yorkie because she is only 3 lbs and we'd like to get her feeling better and breathing easier. If there's a simple solution we would like to try rather than bringing our girl to the vet and spending so much money.
Answer:Due to her age and size, I would recommend seeing your veterinarian to first be sure of the diagnosis (could be many other things including heart failure, cancer, etc.) and also to get size appropriate medication (trying to dose her with human medications could be dangerous - she is literally 50 times smaller than a 150 pound person).
Date: Feb 24, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Horrible coughing all night long
Question:Can Robitussin DM be used for 7 pound dog? Vet gave me guaifenesin. Still is coughing constantly.
Answer:Yes, but be sure it just has dextromethorphan in it. Also be sure there isn't something else going on: pneumonia, heart failure, etc. that may need to be addressed so a recheck with your veterinarian is ideal.
Date: Feb 3, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Kennel cough
Question:We have a pig pit and he had kennel cough we went to a local store and got an injectable penicillin.. Now our 8 week old mini snhauzer has a runny nose ans some wheezing. Do i need to treat him and what and where is the best place to buy it. He can take what our 80 pound dog takes he is only a pou d hald maybe 2 pounds
Answer:One of the first and most important steps in treating pets with kennel cough is to isolate them from other non-symptomatic pets. Most dogs with kennel cough recover completely within a few weeks with or without medical treatment. If your pet has a good appetite and is alert, but only suffers from a recurrent cough, your veterinarian will probably let the infection run its course, just as doctors do with common colds in people. Keeping pets in a well-humidified area and using a harness instead of a collar may also help decrease the coughing. Sometimes veterinarians will nebulize pets at home by exposing them to humidified air a few times a day. This can be accomplished through the use of nebulizers, or by running the shower and making the bathroom steamy. In more serious cases when your pet is not eating, running a fever, or showing signs of pneumonia, your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics - you will need medication from your veterinarian for the tiny one.
Date: Jan 18, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Chocolate Chip
Question:He seems like he is gasping for air and I?m not sure on what to do for him. He?s only 3 years old
Answer:Dogs will cough for many reasons (heartworms, sensitive trachea, kennel cough and other infectious reasons, bronchitis, heart failure, cancer, etc etc).While coughing may be self-limiting in some cases, in other cases coughing may become severe or chronic and require veterinary evaluation and exam. Stool testing for parasites and chest x rays may be indicated. Blood work is also necessary in some cases, as well as to test for heartworm disease in dogs and cats. Here is a link to our article about coughing, other potential causes and various treatment options, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/common-causes-coughing-pet-54.htm
Date: Jan 16, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: My dogs
Question:I got my dogs out of the pound finally but they told.me about kennel cough. How do i know if they got it? And how can i see the very first start to a dog having parvo?
Answer:You will know if they have kennel cough because they cough badly. Signs of parvo are lethargy (mopey), inappetance (not eating), vomiting and diarrhea progressing to bloody diarrhea.
Date: Jan 7, 2020
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Heartworm
Question:What does med do?
Answer:I can't tell exactly what you are asking - but heartworm medications prevent dogs from getting worms in their heart.
Date: Dec 30, 2019
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Kennel cough
Question:What exactly over the counter can I give my Yorkie that presents all the symptoms of having kennel cough?
Answer:One of the first and most important steps in treating pets with kennel cough is to isolate them from other non-symptomatic pets. Most dogs and cats with kennel cough recover completely within a few weeks with or without medical treatment. If your pet has a good appetite and is alert, but only suffers from a recurrent cough, your veterinarian will probably let the infection run its course, just as doctors do with common colds in people. Keeping pets in a well-humidified area and using a harness instead of a collar may also help decrease the coughing. Sometimes veterinarians will nebulize pets at home by exposing them to humidified air a few times a day. This can be accomplished through the use of nebulizers, or by running the shower and making the bathroom steamy. In more serious cases when your pet is not eating, running a fever, or showing signs of pneumonia, your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics.
Date: Dec 24, 2019
Category: Kennel Cough
Pet Type: 2
Topic: Kennel cough
Question:How much children's mucinex should I give my 10lb puppy for her kennel cough
Answer:I would not recommend giving your 10 pound dog human mucinex - there are many different formulas and most contain something toxic to dogs. One of the first and most important steps in treating pets with kennel cough is to isolate them from other non-symptomatic pets. Most dogs and cats with kennel cough recover completely within a few weeks with or without medical treatment. If your pet has a good appetite and is alert, but only suffers from a recurrent cough, your veterinarian will probably let the infection run its course, just as doctors do with common colds in people. Keeping pets in a well-humidified area and using a harness instead of a collar may also help decrease the coughing. Sometimes veterinarians will nebulize pets at home by exposing them to humidified air a few times a day. This can be accomplished through the use of nebulizers, or by running the shower and making the bathroom steamy. In more serious cases when your pet is not eating, running a fever, or showing signs of pneumonia, your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics.
