Treatment of Kennel Cough If your dog is diagnosed with kennel cough, supportive care is usually all that’s required. In most cases of this disease, there is no need for any treatment, it will resolve without any treatment. During treatment, it is important to regularly measure the body’s internal temperature to assess the success of the therapy. Because their immune systems are not fully developed, they are more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria like Bordetella, the kennel cough bacteria. Canine kennel cough treatment may include an antibiotic to avoid any secondary infections. There's the thought that honey might soothe the throat as well. Diagnosis and Treatment . This is highly unlikely, but it can happen in extreme cases. If your dog seems otherwise perky and is eating well, you should be able to use home remedies to make your dog more comfortable. Antibiotics help against secondary bacterial infections. I know this can be stressful for both of you but try to keep it together for the fur kids. Other possible symptoms of kennel cough are: Kennel cough is highly contagious — spreading through airborne droplets and transmitted by direct interactions between dogs and shared contaminated items like food bowls or toys. 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. We’ll see you soon! This steam can just help to clear any mucus that's building up in your dog's throat or in their windpipe. They can be so helpful for relieving congestion, and soothing a stressed-out sick dog. The body tissue of a healing dog needs to be oxygenated. The chamber is pressurized and will continue to increase in pressure while the dog is inside. Since the Bordetella bacteria causing Kennel Cough grabs onto one of its virus buddies to bring symptoms to fruition, things can get dicey quickly. Puppies can easily get sick, and it can progress in an unfavorable direction quickly. Depending on the germs which have caused the virus, some strains of the infection can also be more severe than others. Avoid visiting crowded environments with a lot of other dogs. They can examine the dog and perform conjunctival and pharyngeal swabs, then test them for kennel cough. Keep being a great animal parent and loving that perfect sweetie. It typically takes around two to 14 days for kennel cough to develop. Let’s get that pup feeling better! It affects blood circulation and blood volume because, like humans, dogs are almost 80% water. This most commonly happens with puppies, dogs with an existing medical condition, and older dogs. Most cases of kennel cough are healed within a week or two of rest. Isolation is a must for Kennel Cough recovery across the board. Some treatments include: Antibiotics - Sometimes, vets will suggest antibiotics that will target Bordetella bacteria that caused the cough in the first place. There are many different causes of coughing in dogs. The chamber is filled with high levels of oxygen to reach and revitalize the tissues. Healthy dogs typically recover from a bout of kennel cough after resting for a week or two. A severe cough will warrant a prescription of antibiotics. Though Kennel Cough can go away on its own, any symptom that lasts more than 24-48 hours should be brought to your vet’s attention sooner rather than later. Cough medication - Vets might also prescribe cough medication that will help with the symptoms. Some veterinarians routinely prescribe antibiotics, which are effective against bacteria, thus addressing part of the infection. Several cough syrup varieties are marketed to dogs and their parents online but ask your vet what they suggest before buying some knock-off on Amazon. The top antibiotics for kennel cough in dogs are: Antibiotics work by killing the bacteria causing the infection or slowing its growth. This isn’t the time to get your fur baby a burger at the nearest fast-food restaurant. Hydration is such an essential part of the healing process, Antifungal, antibacterial, & antiviral – fights bacteria and boosts immune system, Anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators, Redness, burning or irritation of lips, skin, gums or tongue, Wintergreen, peppermint, spearmint & mint. What would you do for yourself (or have your partner do for you) if you had a seasonal cold besides whine and avoid doing chores for the next few days? This can be offered up to three times a … Let’s talk about essential oils for a minute. Typically, mild cases of kennel cough are treated with a week or two of rest, but a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection and cough medication to ease the symptoms. Don’t be that guy (or gal). Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs. Though kennel cough is most often shared in places where dogs are in a contained area together, a dog’s cough can be attributed to several things. Make sure they have plenty of clean, fresh water and a … These places usually lack proper ventilation, which allows the bacteria to fester and infect. So if your dog is left untreated, then it will most likely infect other dogs. Kennel cough treatment. Dogs with uncomplicated forms of kennel cough usually suffer no long-term effects from the illness. Here are some other things things that might be affecting your dog and lead to Kennel Cough: Yes. Don’t ever let animals ingest essential oils. The veterinarian is a must in this scenario. You can’t just purchase an antibiotic drug from a pharmacy and give it to your dog according to your own indications. Treating Kennel Cough. Even if they do, they will have you abide by specific guidelines and dosing instructions. As a dog owner, you should take the following precautions until your pet is fully recovered from kennel cough and its possible complications: The measures above are also good practices to follow for preventing future bouts of kennel cough from developing. Is it allergies or something worse? Your dog can get a vaccination to prevent contracting kennel cough this way, but it doesn’t provide complete prevention because the sickness is caused by multiple types of bacteria and viruses. Kennel cough is a self-curing disease in the majority of cases. Coconut oil is a natural anti-microbial and can help quiet a dog’s cough, and they love the stuff! Puppies need extra special attention when it comes to illness. The vet might take some tests, such as blood tests, cultures, and lung x-rays, before treating your pet. None of that junk shipped from overseas, just pure, homegrown honey. There is a mask fashioned over the dog’s muzzle for direct oxygen intake. The majority of pets need hospitalization at some point, so don’t beat yourself up. Please consult your vet whenever you suspect something is off with your puppy or dog. Make sure you get the good stuff. Older dogs can also take a bit longer to cure themselves from this respiratory disease. The vaccine can be administered as an injection or a nasal spray to dogs as young as three weeks. The kennel cough is an infectious disease also known as tracheobronchitis that may affect puppies as well as adult dogs. Honey can be a great home remedy for kennel cough as it can help soothe your dog's throat and minimize coughing. Treatment. A dog is shut in an airtight chamber to help dissolve the oxygen in the blood. The vet might take some tests, such as blood tests, cultures, and lung x-rays, before treating your pet. Though Dextromethorphan is available over the counter, that doesn’t mean it’s okay to give it to them whenever willy nilly. Keep the essential oils up and out of sight if you have a cute little troublemaker. Treatment of Infectious Tracheobronchitis Most cases of kennel cough recover uneventfully without treatment in 2-3 weeks. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers, sometimes called an oxygen tent, are a thing of the future, and the future is now. Before you know it, you will receive a phone call informing you that your pet is being discharged, and you can finally breathe again. So your best bud is coughing, and you’re wondering what to do next. Kidney Failure in Dogs and Cats: Where to Begin . However, if you have a young puppy, kennel cough might be more dangerous and require professional treatment. 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