OMG, distemper or kennel cough?

[butterfliesinmytummy]

We brought Luna, a 12 week dalmation x home from the dog shelter 10 days ago. She has a really runny nose and a cough (this is quiet, doesn't sound like kennel cough) and is lethargic although eating well, no diarrhoea, no vomiting etc. She is coming to the end of 7 days of antibiotics and although I understand that this medication won't cure either kennel cough or distemper, she seems to be getting worse. The vet says to let it run its course and that we can manage the symptoms with tamiflu that she has ordered through the pharmacy for me. She isn't aware of any recent cases of distemper but we can't tell what it is until it either disappears or gets worse...

Any wise words for our poor pup?

On the plus side, Luna's collar from Mimi Green arrived today. It was her welcome home gift so at least she looks pretty as she lays in her bed coughing...

Has she been checked for lungworms?

She's had heartworm medication but I've never heard of lungworms - is it the same thing?

OP - are you in the UK? Dogs elsewhere in the world can get diseases not routinely seen here.

Are you in the UK? If you are lungworm is a spreading problem here causing coughing and a variety of other symptoms.

No we are in Texas USA. Lungworms haven't been mentioned here but I understand from a quick google that it's parasitic. Luna's first check up outside the dog shelter included a stool sample that showed she had coccidosis which is a common intestinal parasite here. She has just completed a course of antibiotics (which is also the recommended medication for lungworms) for this so I'm guessing she should be 100% parasite free. It's probably the only thing she doesn't have....

Of course, since posting this and calling the vet, she's looking much better, had a run round the garden with the kids and has just chewed up a plastic scotch tape dispenser.

I don't remember stressing this much about the kids when they were small .... thought dog owning was supposed to be relaxing

A quick check has revealed that our 'French lungworm' has so far only been found in Canada and some eastern states of USA. So it is unlikely in Texas and as it is transmitted by slugs and snails less likely in your climate.
Just one small correction antibiotics do kill lungworm preventative drugs are moxidectin and milbemycin. Treatment drugs are fenbendazole or milbemycin.