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Hi Karen,

Kennel cough is caused by a virus, and there is no medication that will get rid of it. The dog's immune system simply has to overcome the virus. The medication your vet prescribed was likely an antibiotic to keep your dog from coming down with a secondary respiratory infection while the immune system was under stress fighting the virus. It takes about three weeks for the virus to die off, so it's possible that the antibiotics temporarily improved your dog's symptoms even though they can't kill off the virus. Hopefully you puppy will improve in another week or so, but keep a close eye on him in case those symptoms worsen. If they do, let your vet know right away. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I got my puppy from the breeder 3 wks ago & he came home with kennel cough ,after taking him to the vets 24 hrs later for treatment (10 day course of antibiotics) it seemed to clear & he then could recieve first puppy injection ,now 5 days after finishing the course of tablets i had to take him back to the vets as he is coughing again & is now on another course of tablets im worried it could be something else as the vet said its unusal for a pup to get kennel cough twice

-- Contributed by: karen

Hi Karen,

Chances are that this is just a case of kennel cough. However, kennel cough is very contagious, and it could affect the newborn pups if it is still present in the environment once they are born. The virus itself lasts about three weeks, so there should still be enough time to disinfect your home before a litter arrives. You'll want to wash all the flooring, your dog's bedding and bowls. Don't set up the whelping area until after all of this is done. This should be enough to keep the pups safe, but don't hesitate to speak with your vet about the situation.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it all turns out alright. Best wishes for everyone's health. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I mated my dog 18days ago i left her in the kennel for 5 days. dont know if she is pregnant yet she has been coughing and being sick for the last 7 days. What shoud i do?? also will this kill pups if she is pregnant??

-- Contributed by: karen

Hi Sharon,

This may be a case of aspiration pneumonia, and this can occur when some of the vomit is sucked into the lungs. It only takes a small amount to set the infection in motion, and under most cir...stances the antibiotics your dog received should have prevented the pneumonia from taking hold. Unfortunately, it sounds like your dog didn't respond well to the particular antibiotic given. This does happen from time to time, and then the vet has to switch to a stronger antibiotic to bring the infection under control. Puppies are a bit more vulnerable because their immune systems are less mature than an adult dog's. I don't know if there was anything more you or your vet could have done before the pneumonia came to light. You were diligent about taking your dog in for an exam, and the vet prescribed antibiotics to ward off a respiratory infection. Sadly, things took a turn for the worse anyway. I truly hope your dog will make it through this illness and be home with you soon. I'll keep her in prayers.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Mary, My little vizsla puppy (8 weeks when I got her) quickly developed a moist cough when she first came home (following some vomiting after the car ride). There was definitely the sound of fluid in her windpipe from day one, and since I was worried about pneumonia we took her straight to the vet. They diagnosed kennel cough (no fever) and put her on 10 days of antibiotics. During this time she was very active and playful, but the moist (unproductive) cough stayed on and her nighttime breathing was very laboured, with alot of snoring and wheezing. Today she suddenly showed a fever and listlessness, refusing to eat or drink. The same vet clinic immediately x-rayed her and found pneumonia advanced enough that she is hospitalised for 5 days! And I have no idea if she will recover. How could this happen, even when I had her checked out and treated? Is there something the vet overlooked, or are young dogs just that amazingly vulnerable? Many thanks, praying in Texas...

-- Contributed by: Sharon

Hi Mary,

Do you have a Petco or other major pet supply chain near where you live? They carry a product called "pill pockets" that make giving meds easier for some dogs. Each pocket is made from a tasty soft gel. You hide the pill inside of it and feed it to your dog. I think this would help you immensely.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Our new puppy is on antibiotics for her kennel cough but fights us terribly when we try to give the pill to her. She is supposed to have it three times a day & we were lucky to get it in her once today. Are there any tips as to how we can make this easier on all of us?

Thank you, Mary

-- Contributed by: Mary
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