Kennel Cough :(

Hey,
Just rescued a 2 year old male staffy from the Pound and he wasn't given the kennel cough vaccine before he was put in I have about 5 more days worth of anti biotics that i was given from the pound incase he developed Kennel Cough (which he did after i brought him out)

Should i just give him the rest of the anti biotics and hope for the best or does anybody else have more useful advice? Also is there anything we shouldn't do? Can we still go for walks?

Tank and i would really appreciate it!

Jethro has never had kennel cough as he gets his vaccination every year.. but I know it is highly contageous, so you would have to be careful about giving the virus to any other dogs for a few weeks I would imagine. Regarding the antibiotics I would give Tank the whole course of them. Could you phone your local vet and pick their brains for advice? Sorry I can't really help. Hope he gets better real soon !

Yeah i'm going to give him the whole dose. But my Vet unfortunately wasn't very helpful in the matter. I may give him a ring and just get at him to give me advice The poor thing is not the same happy staffy he should be

He got his first vaccination the other day and another in 3 weeks but unfortunately it was too late to give him one for Kennel cough.

Thanks anyway Vanessa, really appreciate it!

I'm affraid I haven't any knowledge on it either, but I googled it and this was an interesting link.

http://www.kennelcoughindogs.com/

Hope he feels better soon.

The only problem with the kennel cough vaccine is that it isn't effective with every strain of the kennel cough virus! I'd only get it done if the dog is to go into kennels for any reason.

In the meantime, poor Tank will just have to finish up the antibiotics and grin & bear it.

It's a pain, but it will go. As Vanessa says, it's highly contageous which is why it's called 'kennel' cough - it can go right through a boarding/breeding kennel in a matter of days! Try to keep him away from other dogs for a little while & restrict his exercise for a couple of days as too much will make him cough.

Thanks for the advice and links! Will keep you updated on Tanks process and really hope he is better soon! He is very good at taking his tablets!

In the past I have used children benelyn with great results, it stops the horrible hacking cough and i belive their throats hurt less for an hour or two after use. Be careful not to give a teaspoon more than twice a day though.

yes interestingly I was reading on a web site yesterday that Benadryl cough medicine can be given to dogs too !

Cheers guys! There has been no coughing in the last few days so Tank is back to his usual fun loving self

Kaiser got kennel cough when he was young dont know where he picked it up form he hadnt been in kennels or been near a dog which had so he must of picked it up on his walk it will clear with antibiotics