Hi Gina, to me Kennel cough is not a very serious issue...usually it rectifies itself after about a week or so. Antibiotics can actually have a reverse affect if the Vet doesn't administer the correct one or the bacterial infection has not gone Virual. Cough suppressants work wonders to help dogs through it...Dimeatapp is the one i have used with great results. Keeping them warm and out of drafts is important. Think of it as a cold for dogs which is basically what it is. Sometimes going back into the Vets office is where your dog can get re-exposed. Many vets have the bacteria right there all over their waiting rooms and examination rooms. The antibiotics are only successful if the bacterial infection has morphed into a virual one...which is not always the case so home treatment first for me. In all my years of owning dogs only once did I go the vet route for Kennel Cough...and his treatments worked no better than my home remedies...just like a cold. This is only good info if your dog is still eating and drinking normally...and just has the cough. If that changes you may have to worry about bigger issues like Parvo etc...as it can be a pre-curser to those. Just keep your eyes out for regular normal behavior except for the cough...and use the expecterant to control that.
Just my 2 cents...but do what you feel is best...only you can make that judgement to go back to your vet or not. If things seem off more than the cough then by all means go have it checked out! Just remember her immune system is low and insist that your vet do a thourough cleaning before you take her into the exam room and do NOT sit her down on the floor...anywhere!!! You can also start right now to help her build back up her immune system with pre and pro-biotics. I use Forti Flora which you can buy online...just sprinkle the granuales on her food as directed. It has brought many a pup back from death's door!!! I call it "Miracle Powder" but really any pro/pre biotics with LIVE cultures will have the same affect...doesn't have to be the Forti Flora! Waggin' Tails in The Dog Park, Deanna and The Dog Park Pack: Nugget, Shuai-Li, Mouse, Myrtle, Mable,Madison and Caleb and honorary non-dog members of The Dog Park: Stella-Macaw, Stanley-Amazon, Miles the cat www.joys4toys.com ________________________________ From: Gina Vasquez Date: 1/5/2011 12:06:00 PM To: Chihuahua Group Subject: [Chihuahuas] Kennel Cough Hi Everybody!! I'm pretty new to this group and would like to discuss Kennel Cough in Chi's.... My baby Paris (3.1 lbs) fell victim to this horrible thing when I rescued an American Eskimo off of death row 3 weeks ago. I have her on meds but this morning she seemed to be struggling. Could you tell me if any of you have experienced this and what is the timing on how quick she should recover? She just finished her 10 day dose of Clavamox and is on another med. HELP!! P.S. When I took her to the vets he said the 2nd one should kick it into high gear. She sounds like she's sniffling inwards and her little body is trying to get it out! Gina Vasquez Blog: http://daddyslittlescrapper.blogspot.com/ ©2003 LongBraid Designs
