Hi all,
I have a litter of 9 pups they are 4 and a half weeks old now and doing very well.  They are still sleeping quite a lot but the playtimes are getting longer and longer! 

Yesterday I heard a dry cough from one of the pups and today I've heard the same the cough has come from two seperate pups on difference occasions but it's just one or two coughs and that's it.

They are all happy and playing (well they were, all just flaked out!) and eating well, they have been on solids for about a week with top ups from mum.  I have checked the temperatures and all range from 37.4 to 37.9, puppies were wormed yesterday.  I have phoned my vet who said just to keep an eye on them for now and if I'm worried to go to see her this evening when my OH gets home from work with the car.  Could it just be that in play one has grabbed another around the throat and made it cough or when they are laying on top of each other laid across the throat?  I am obviously worried about Kennel Cough but could it be anything else?  Are there any other symptoms I should be looking for?  One other thing I have just put a large tray of shavings in to encourage them to toilet there, I had ordered some shredded tea bag paper which was delivered to my friend in the UK and forwarded on here in France but not yet arrived, I'm running out of newspaper so used the shavings - wondering if they've tried to eat them.  Any help or ideas gratefully received.

Many thanks

Jan

hi jan ,is the room to hot for them? now their playing alot and the age they are they dont need the room hot and dry, if their playing ruff and running round like nutter they could just need a drink?but if you find its not the room and more are coming down with it maybe a trip to the vets to but your mind at rest.
all the best!

Thanks White lilly, that's a good idea we have electric heating and I put it back on the other day as the temperatures had dropped, I've given them some water in a shallow dish and some have had a drink, but some ....... well you can imagine!!!

Thank you a good idea I will turn the heating off, I had forgotton it was on, the temperature is much warmer today!!

Jan

Jan, the minute I read about the shavings, I kind of think that's it!lol.  Mine would have a field day in loose shavings and I don't even want to think of the mess!  Still, if you are worried, better safe than sorry.

i didnt see the shaving bit! id be worried pups would be eating it!

The shavings are definately not a good idea they are also a bit dusty, I've found two rolls of lining paper still wrapped up so I've been cutting that up into newspaper sized bits, it's not as absorbant but it will be better than the shavings.  I've also shredded some to see how that works - no other coughing this afternoon.

Jan

thats good :)