Hard Cough

my 9 month old puppy started hacking yesterday and is still doing it. At first i thought he ate something but since its continued i think it is a cough are there any home remedies to help im a broke college kid so going to the vet is not a opption at the moment . is kennel cough serious?
he doesnt have any other symptoms he is still eating and playing like normal

There are two treatment options depending on the severity of the disease. In the most common mild (uncomplicated) form of the disease, antibiotics may or may not be used. Treating the mild case does not shorten the length in which the animal will be a potential spreader of the disease. In addition, bronchodilators like aminophylline or cough suppressants may also be used in treatment of mild cases.

In more severe (complicated) cases where the animal is not eating, running a fever, or showing signs of pneumonia, antibiotics are often used. The most common ones are doxycycline or trimethoprim-sulfa. However, many other choices are also available. Steroids or cough suppressants are not usually recommended because of the risk of immunosuppression with steroids and the need to continue to clear extra fluid or mucous in pneumonia patients. Bronchodilators and even aerosol therapy can be used. In moderate or severe cases, veterinary care should be instituted, as the resultant pneumonia could become life threatening if not treated properly and promptly.

Because pressure on the throat and trachea can make coughing worse, it is recommended that dogs with a cough should wear a head collar or harness instead of a regular neck collar.

My Staffy/Pom mix came down with Kennel Cough yesterday, the vet gave her some medicine and expects her to be better withing 3 days. It’s a very minor case because she was vaccinated against it and she seems fine apart from the coughing.
She’s never been a passionate eater but she still eats a fair bit, today however although she was very active ate very little. Is this just part of her Kennel Cough or should I be worried?

Either the medicine or the illness - or both - can cause loss of appetite. It should resolve within a day or two. If not, give the vet a call. I wouldn’t worry too much.

how can i help heal her kennel cough and a way to give her the medicine the vet gave her? i cant get her to open her mouth its so hard please help!

Liquid or tablet form??

If you are struggling with the liquid, make a phone call to your vet and request tablets instead. Easy fix!

If the tablets are giving you a problem: take a small piece of bread (half dollar size), slap on some peanut butter, place the tablet in the middle, and fold the bread over…. works like a charm!

I wish you luck!

Only vets or people who know a lot about dogs answer please. I fostered a dog who I learned had kennel cough she passed it to my 16 yr old dog and I want to know if he can pass it to other dogs while I have him on Doxycyline?

yes the affected animal will continue to shed the bacteria for 6 to 14 weeks and can spread the disease to other susceptible animals during that time
Clinical signs of infections occur 2-14 days after exposure, and if uncomplicated with other agents, symptoms will last around 10 days.

My dog who is 6 is showing signs of kennel cough but only started showing symptoms a couple of days ago. He was in boarding for about a week and has had the vaccine. Do symptoms take this long to show up? He has had it before and I noticed the symptoms within a couple of days. He has a cough that makes him almost chock and vomit. Or does this sound like a cold?

Thats kennel cough, (as a dog trainer/shower I know it well!) and the symptoms CAN take that long and just be building up.

I have four dogs. Two of them have kennel cough. My other two seem fine right now. One of them is a very small chihuahua and I have heard that toy breeds often can get gravely ill from minor infections.

Aside from keeping them away from her, is there anything else I can do to protect my little one?

Also, my vet tech told me antibiotics are usually not necessary for Kennel cough, but to watch out for seconday infection. Is this right?

No I would not go by what she told you at all. It would like me or anyone else here telling you the same thing with out examining your dogs. It is fioolish!

You need to have your vet check them over and then see if treatment is necessary. Seeing as how you have multiple dogs in your home then I would make this a priority thing to do. Kennel cough spreads like wild fire and even with your best efforts your other dogs are most likely already exposed to it.
Get your dogs seen and this way your vet can tell you the severity of their condition and not someone who didn’t see or hear their breathing.

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My 2 year old boxer will be attending obedience classes with 20 other dogs and I wondered if this would be a good idea. He is up to date with all other shots,worming,flea treatments etc, I am just concerned about Kennel cough, or would you suggest anything else?

I’d definitely get the kennel cough and ask your vet if there is anything else your boxer may need. Have fun!!

He’s 3 months old, he only coughs when he’s playing tug-of-war or occasionally when he’s running. But not really. If it isn’t kennel cough what’s the reason and if I can, how can I treat it?

The only one who is qualified to answer your questions is a vet, not us! Take your dog to the vet, get it properly diagnosed and treated. You can’t treat a problem, until you know what the problem is. Never try to diagnose and treat your own dog! That’s what vets are for!
ADD: Hello Iggy!

My dog is current on all her shots except a kennel cough shot. My dad died a few hours ago and I have to fly out of state to be with my brother and I can’t take her. If I take her tomorrow to get the shot will they let me board her tomorrow or will I have to wait?

Firstly sorry to hear about your dad. You have to have the vaccinated BUT some will allow you to bring your dog in a few days after the injection. PS most dog injections have an over laps period so as long as you have had the others then you should be fine

my dog has been suffering from kennel cough for 2 weeks already… i took her to the vet and prescribed an antibiotic and asks me to not place the dog in a cold place. is there any other alternative where i can help my dog aside from giving her antibiotics?

Antibiotics are the only thing that will cure the infection. If the ones the vet gave you aren’t working then go back to the vet and get different/stronger ones.

To help make your dog more comfortable some cough syrups are OK for dogs. Find one that doesn’t have acetaminophen in it. Follow the directions for children (unless you have a very large dog, in which case the adult dosage is fine). But that’s not going to help the infection, just reduce the cough temporarily.