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Gretal was diagnosed with kennel cough and given antibiotics. How long does the cough usually last. Poor little thing.

Kathy

>>Gretal was diagnosed with kennel cough and given antibiotics. How long does the cough usually last. Poor little thing.
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>>Kathy

If they gave her antibiotics, they must have felt there was special risk in her case. Kennel cough is a virus that antibiotics will not cure, but the antibiotics can help treat and/or prevent a secondary bacterial infection from developing--such as pneumonia.

Kennel cough alone typically can last about two weeks, but it varies a lot. She is contagious, so keep her home and don't risk exposing other dogs. Also, don't attach a leash to her collar until she's completely well. Kennel cough affects the bronchial tubes, and a collar pressing against that with the leash would not be good. If you need to have her on leash during this illness, use a chest harness instead of a collar for the leash.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

We had switched Gretal to a chest harness; not because of the cough, butI am glad it has dual purpose now. She seems better today, being on the drug for five days and she certainly is easier on a harness when we travel outside. She can be stubborn at times and the harness gives me the upper edge! She is doing well with training (I think). Very few accidents (and I hate to call it that) on the papers by the door because she USES the papers by the door. It is more the fact that our timing isn't quite right. She goes every time we go out. Some outings are short and sweet (weather plays a roll in that!) and other times she makes up for hours. My one cat is not very pleasant and continues to let her know he doesn't like the visitor behind the baby gate. The cat out weighs Gretal by at least ten pounds and he has an attitude. I wish Gretal would just bark at him! She doen's quite have her sea legs yet!

Kathy

Poor baby! Any idea how she got the kennel cough?

She sounds like a real darling. Do you have any photos of her?

Here's a pic of my parents doxie we got them for Christmas 2 years ago now. Wow, how time flies!

Melody

>>We had switched Gretal to a chest harness; not because of the cough, butI am glad it has dual purpose now. She seems better today, being on the drug for five days and she certainly is easier on a harness when we travel outside. She can be stubborn at times and the harness gives me the upper edge! She is doing well with training (I think). Very few accidents (and I hate to call it that) on the papers by the door because she USES the papers by the door. It is more the fact that our timing isn't quite right. She goes every time we go out. Some outings are short and sweet (weather plays a roll in that!) and other times she makes up for hours. My one cat is not very pleasant and continues to let her know he doesn't like the visitor behind the baby gate. The cat out weighs Gretal by at least ten pounds and he has an attitude. I wish Gretal would just bark at him! She doen's quite have her sea legs yet!
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>>Kathy

It's actually better if the dog doesn't bark at the cat. The less they do to set each other off, the better.

She may have a light case of kennel cough if she's already doing better. I had a dog catch it once from the intranasal vaccine I let the vet give one of my OTHER dogs. She was only sick for about 5 days, but it made me pretty mad!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com