Hi we have a 4 week old litter of sbt's we noticed a week ago that they were coughing when feeding,  we put it down to them drinking to fast,  but now as they are a little older and are starting to play with eachother it seems to be happening when they growl at eachother. 
They will have a scuffle with one another and then let out one or two coughs at the end.
I plan on taking them to the vets tomorrow but would like to know if anyone has had a similar thing happen to them with a litter.
I don't think it is kennel cough as they arent vomiting or bringing anything up..
Thanks in advance for any advice

> I don't think it is kennel cough as they arent vomiting or bringing anything up..

Over the last 25 years I think we have had dogs with Kennel cough on three occasions, with never all dogs affected and rarely has any thrown up or produced anything, other than the cough.

Just assumed it was mild.

Thankyou,  in a way I am hoping it is kennel cough,  as it will either go away itself or be treated quite easily,  rather than it being more serious.

I have been very unlucky in this regard and in the last 5 or 6 years, have had it run through my lot 4 or 5 times.  Twice just last year!

Usually they didn't bring anything up - only the first and last times did I have any do it and only the first time was it really significant.  Pain in the backside though!

Hi nikita can I ask was it a litter of pups and how did you deal with the problem?
The pups are only coughing when they growl at eachother and that is it.
Also mum doesn't have it so I am a little stumped wether it is or not,  I thought kennel cough was highly contagious. 
My two adult dogs had it a couple of years ago and Were treated for it which cleared up within a couple of days. Im freaking out as they are pups and I don't really want to give them drugs if I can help it.

in a way I am hoping it is kennel cough,  as it will either go away itself or be treated quite easily,  rather than it being more serious.

In 4 week old pups it IS serious. Adult dogs usually no problem, young pups still with mum and old dogs is very different, so please be careful.

Well typically with KC when there is 'activity' this makes the affected cough.   But in 4 week old puppies??!!  And with mum not affected??   Is the atmosphere in the room/whelping box perhaps too dry?    This can happen if you have a brood lamp - and what are the puppies on because I've known a breeder use wood shavings and that could affect puppies too.

Whatever, I think you can only get them checked by your vet asap.  I hope the diagnosis is conclusive, and what's going on sorted out.

hi the pups are on vet bedding , and yes i am looking into the room being to dry , i have noticed on a night time when we had them in our room it was really dry and id sometimes wake up coughing. they have been downstairs for 2 nights now and half of them have stopped.
i plan on purchasing a humidifier to put near their pen, i am awaiting a hygrometer coming today to check the humidity in the room before purchasing it.
we also had a dehumidifier in the loft as we had condensation , so chances are that was sucking any moisture out of the air (that has been turned off now)
thanks :)

No, this was in my group of adult dogs - just to illustrate that it doesn't always show the full gamut of symptoms.

i was always under the influence that if you had one dog with it ,  it would go through them all , so this is great to know.
thankyou :)

But in 4 week old puppies??!!  And with mum not affected??

Perfectly possible. Pups will be a lot more susceptible.

I have never had all dogs affected, I assume that older ones may have become immune to a variant previously encountered.

Is it definitely a cough, and not a reverse sneeze ?
My dog does it if she gets over excited or eats too fast.

The vet thinks it is a very mild strain of kennel cough, he said all pups probably have it and the reason they arent all showing the symptoms is because it is mild.
He also said there is nothing to do to clear it up as they are so young, and that it will clear up by itself,  but it may take some time.
They have their first injection in 4 weeks time so if they still have it then we can look into medication,  but if i can I'd rather not,  their immune system needs to build up and medication won't help.
But as long as all pups are eating and are healthy which they are  he is not too concerned. ;)

> But in 4 week old puppies??!!  And with mum not affected??<br /><br />Perfectly possible. Pups will be a lot more susceptible.

The puppies would have to have picked it up from somewhere?  But I guess if this is a 'mild form' of KC she could have picked it up from somewhere (where has she been whilst nursing a litter?) but not show any symptoms.    In any case the viral form of KC can't be treated - only the symptoms.   And these days vets are prescribing antibs. to prevent it going to pneumonia.    Clearly in baby puppies that would be a disaster, so I hope he's giving you the right advice and treatment!

the pups are still all very healthy in themselves , but as soon as there is any problems or if they deteriorate they will be rushed straight to the vets.
i also have another vet on hand which i can see for a second opinion.

If the pups still have the KC at 8 weeks, I do hope your vet isn't planning on giving them their jabs while they have it!

im not sure as we havent reached that stage , could i ask why not?
he mentioned that if they still have it at that age their are certain drugs available but he suggested letting it run its cause and go by itself.

Only healthy dogs should.be vaccinated as it increases the possibility of a reaction if there is any form of illness and u don't want to stress.their immune system any further

As Furriefriends has already commented, only completely healthy dogs/puppies should be vaccinated.

thankyou i will take this advice onboard and make sure the vet doesnt do this, he is a good vet and i trust him, so i would imagine he wouldnt ;)

hi all thankyou for your great advice , the cough is going now , i only heard 2 pups cough once each yesterday crisis and panic over :)
once again thankyou

hi all thankyou for your great advice , the cough is going now , i only heard 2 pups cough once each yesterday crisis and panic over :)
once again thankyou