Suspect kennel cough - what to do?

[Wtfdoicare]

My 1 year old golden has had a cough for the last couple of days. She's not bringing anything up and seems more or less herself if a bit subdued. Seeing vet tomorrow. In the meantime have googled myself and think it might be kennel cough. Is it worth her having a vaccination for it? What treatment is there?

[Floralnomad]

Mostly no treatment although my dog has had antibiotics in the past with a particularly bad strain . We vaccinate as my dog ( Battersea pup and had the batttersea strain) seems very susceptible and has got tracheal scarring so we really try to avoid him getting it . When he does get it he has tixylix , which he loves

[LadyWhoLikesLunch]

My dog got kennel cough and he just got some antibiotics to clear it. If your dogs suffering take her in the bathroom and get it nice and steamy it helps clear their airways a bit.

[villainousbroodmare]

Not much point in vaccinating now, unless you have other dogs, in which case it just might protect them. Tell the vet's receptionist you suspect KC, and leave your dog in the car if possible so that she doesn't cough all over the waiting room. And no walks near other dogs until the coughing is over.

[Wtfdoicare]

Great, thanks. She is not coughing too much at the moment, perhaps once every couple of hours or so. I'll try some tixylix.

[TakeASipOfDancingJuice]

My dog had the vaccine and still caught it as did 3/4 other dogs I know. Honey is good if your dog will take it or childrens cough medicine. When my dog had it, he only coughed badly for one night and then a few more coughs the next day or so and it was gone. Not much point seeing the vet to be honest.

[villainousbroodmare]

Yep, the vaccine is not 100% protective, but vaccinated dogs tend to get milder symptoms, as you noticed, Dancingjuice. I have known KC to drag on for months my own bloody dog and have also known a couple of dogs die of complications, one a big strong four year old Rottweiler.

[JaneEyre70]

Mine loved licking honey off a spoon. Really helped him. He had a horrid cough for around a week and I kept him on the lead and walked where we wouldn't meet others until he was clear of coughing.

[Lithlingow]

My dog had this last year- was annoying as she couldn't go with her walker during the outbreak and, of course, it's horrible to see the dog experiencing discomfort.
My colleague recommended coconut oil and honey and I gave a couple of spoons of each with each meal. It seemed to work or it cleared up of its own accord!
She's a lab!

[TakeASipOfDancingJuice]

Oh no that's awful. Yeah the other dogs I've known who had it didn't have it bad luckily. Although I used to know a vet who walked her dog in the same park and she didn't rate the vaccine at all.

[SparklingRaspberry]

Lithlingow - I also use coconut oil and honey in the past! Works brilliantly. It's a cough, no need to put it on antibiotics when it can be helped so easily with other alternative ways of treatment

[Lithlingow]

I agree Sparkling. A vet friend said that kennel cough is the name vets give to any (usually viral) cough. I wouldn't have antibiotics every time I or my kids have a cough.
I also find the fact vets charge £50 just to say hello a bit much (single parent, every penny's a prisoner in this house!). I wouldn't let my dog suffer or be in pain but if I can manage my kids when they have a cough, I can do the same for my dog!

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Is tyxylix safe for dogs?

[TakeASipOfDancingJuice]

Yes I think any childrens cough medicine is fine.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I didn't know that.
Mine are vaccinated, but it's good to know.