Our 10 month old whippet cross has had kennel cough now for over 4 weeks (at least the first cough was 4 weeks ago last Thursday). She's now a lot brighter in herself (and up to some naughty tricks again), though I don't think she's fully 'herself' yet .. but she is still coughing. Especially first thing in the morning as soon as she gets up. Still coughing when excited or if she tries to play or run about. She's been restricted to house and garden for 4 weeks too ... no walks or runs ... in the hopes of a quick recovery and to keep her from meeting other dogs. The vet has seen her, checked heart, lungs, temperature etc and diagnosed KC. Gave her ABs for 5 days to ward of 2ndaries. But said we'd have to wait it out. That was 10 days ago. I have a few questions to those of you who know about this illness:

1) is over 4 weeks getting a bit long? Most info I can find states 2-3 weeks.
2) our other dog who's 6, hasn't got it. Could she still feasibly carry it, though? I'm still taking her for walks on her own. Vet said she would have caught it within 2 weeks if she was going to.
3) can KC damage the puppy's lungs long term? It's such a harsh cough. Sometimes productive, sometimes not.
4) vet said (10 days ago) that the pup would be infectious for up to a month from that time, which was much longer than I was expecting. Does that sound right?
5) finally, I need to give the pup some flea treatment, but read that Stronghold shouldn't be given to convalescing dogs or ill ones. Anyone know if I should/should not use in the circumstances?

I will ring the vet again next week if no marked improvement, but if anyone can help out with this info beforehand it would be great. Thanks.

Hi,
Pup went to see vet yesterday. He still thinks it's a case of extended kennel cough (now nearly 5 weeks) and said we should wait another 4 weeks. If it doesn't clear up then do chest x rays. He started talking about heart failure which scared me a bit, though he said that was most unlikely in a 10 month old who up to 5 weeks ago has been zipping around happily.

Anyone had experience of KC for more than 5 weeks?

Thanks.

No, I haven't. But I will be very interested to see what happens as my youngest has had it now for 3 weeks. I think this must be a more virilant (sp) strain than any others I've seen :( My oldest only had it for a few days, but then she had been exposed to kennel cough when much younger, so I reckon her immune system recognised the virus.

Let's hope that this means they won't ever get it again, eh? ;)

Has your vet tested for heart worm?
As sometimes this can cause coughing etc.
It's not normally associated with UK normally an overseas thing.
But thats not to say any dogs resident here in UK can't get it.

Might be worth finding out re wormer etc from vet.

Never heard of Kennel Cough lasting that long, can you get a second opinion.