ok, so it looks like my 8 month old beagle has Kennel Cough. Im up with himm all night ready for a vet trip in a.m or possibly sooner-
what i cant understand is how he got it? I walk him quite late at night so doesnt really have contact with others- he played with my cousins pup today but surely thats too short notice = he only just started coughin althogh quite bad?

Any direct contact with an infected dog during regular walks, play, training classes etc spreads the disease.  So too can their owners/handlers if they have any mucus or saliva from the dog on their hands/clothes if fussing your dog soon after contact with their own.  It's an airborne virus so most commonly caught by contact with dogs sneezing or coughing close to yours and sharing water bowls at clubs and shows.

Incubation is generally 7-10 days prior to symptoms being noticed and it is at this point that the dog is most infectous as this is when the first coughing or sneezing starts.  Although called KC, not all dogs ever cough hence why I mentioned sneezing.  Also some can sound more like they are snuffling or choking/gagging rather than a cough.

If you're confident your lad has not been in any situations where he could have contracted the virus - discount the pup last night as a host (but forewarn the owner just in case it develops signs later also) - then better to reassess today and see the vet if signs persist as coughs can be the signs of other illnesses too.

Normally in a young (not pup!) fit and otherwise healthy dog, KC usually requires no special treatment other than cutting right back on exercise and playing as any form of excitement will exacerbate the condition.  Baby cough medicine such as Benylin or Tixylix can be given to soothe the throat etc. if the dog is clearly uncomfortable.

Avoid your dog being in contact with all other dogs and regular dog dense areas until all symptoms have disappeared for at least a week.  While not a particularly dangerous virus in itself (although there are many strains) KC can cause secondary infections which for newborns, the very young, otherwise infirm or very elderly dogs can prove fatal.

HTH info helps, Teri  

when my bitches got it, they didnt have direct contact with "infected" dogs, but they still got it.  They can get it from sniffing, which I know my Cher does a lot, hard to keep a min pins nose off the ground. 

To make your dog feel a tad better as well, place a humidifier in the room that he sleeps, and also take him into the washroom while you have a hot shower.  The stream really helps. 

I went to vet today- he said that it isnt KC  because my pup is being sick (ALOT) no food is being brought up just froth.
He said he has upset tummy and throat and gave him antobiotics thru injection.

MY pup has been sick sonstantly every since- no food though- and he cant settle - i hate this :(

ive known dogs to vomit through coughing so much with KC. could it possibly be this?

Thats what I am worried about? I know when I cough loads and my throat starts to hurt it make me heave as feel almost sick!

He has slep (finally!) does anyone know what treatment you are given with Kennel Cough? Because he was given antibiotics anyway?
My vet is so old fashioned though- He examined my pups mouth and it scared him so I started saying 'its ok boy/good boy' and the vet was like 'STOP IT- you dont help making a fuss when Im trying to examine him' :| jeeeez! and theres me just trying to reassure him!

All that aside Iknow its getting to his throat as was was asleep on me an everytime he swalloed I could feel it was a struggle

antibiotics can be given for kennel cough, though they generally dont do much im afraid. rest and childrens cough medicine are the best options. my pup had it when he was very young, just a mild form thankfully, but i gave him a few days worth of cough medicine and he was fine. if your worried about him you should go back to your vets, though i dont think theres much more to be done unless he gets very bad with it.

When my dogs have had KC in the past they have brought up a lot of thick white froth - it looks like melted marshmallow.  This to me is the classic symptom I associate with KC, along with the coughing, which is worse with the slghtest pressure on the throat.  They're not being sick, but they do gag a lot so it could easily be mistaken for vomiting.  The froth is white, not yellow like bile.
Not had it at all for a couple of years at least, but we've had three or four bad doses over the last decade, usually about this time of year.

Antibiotics will prevent your dog getting a chest infection which could lead to pneumonia.  My vet also gives an anti-inflammatory injection and tablets that ease the cough (generally stops it within hours).

I would agree it still sounds like KC.

We had it at almost exactly this time last year. My (then) 3 year old was one of the worst affected and at his worst he would distance himself from me (he's usually up on my bed with me or else the chair next to my bed and he'd go and lie on a chair on the other side of the room that he never uses), looked very poorly and thoroughly miserable and was bringing up froth. He wouldn't eat, would drink but if he went and had a drink I could guarantee it would irritate his throat and within a few seconds he'd start coughing and bring it back up. He had antibiotics as a precaution and I gave him tixilyx to soothe his throat.

It took him a good few weeks to get over it completely, though thankfully he wasn't as bad as that for that long!

mine had it evan after having a vac.

One of my bitches had it earlier this year and she was bringing up white froth. Took her to the vets just to be sure , never had one be sick before but they said it was a classic sign of KC. It passed in about 5 days with no treatment.

To be honest I would find another Vet!!!

Does sound typical of KC though, mine have had it years ago and both vomited up copious amounts of froth! but they were both Giant breeds and Newfies are prolific slime bearers!

SLIME FLIES WHEN THEY HAVING FUN!;-)

Im so confused- thank you everyone for your help - So i think it IS KC? He was bringing up white froth - so why was my vet so sure that he wouldnt do that - he said it was just a sore throat!

My pup has been loads better today- slept better but when he barks or whines or something its REALLY croaky- its quite sweet actually- like humans get croaky.

I think maybe I should change vets- I still cant believe he told me off for comforting my OWN dog? He tried to get in his mouth and it scared him so I said- its ok boy! lol he said your not helping= I wish I replied- it'll help if he tries to bite your fingers off!!!

so I gave him a spoonful of honey and i think that helped- I think I may buy some calpol tomorrow then- will it cause any harm ? as im not sure he has it but could only help?
How much should I give- thank you all!

xxx

Calpol is for pain and I would not advise it as pain killers are metabolised differently by animals.

Cough medicine should be fine.

>I think I may buy some calpol tomorrow then- will it cause any harm ?

Nononononono! Don't give Calpol! This is a dog, not a child! Calpol is paracetamol which is bad for dogs (and lethal for cats).

PHEW - glad I checked this tonight and not tomoro-
What cough medicine then?
x

Child's Benylin is recommended by vets.

A childrens cough medicine such as Benylin or Tixylix (non-drowsey ones) would be suitable.

why change vets ? your vet was right, you reassuring your dog would make things worse, you are basically telling your dog its ok to be scared.  I find the best vets have the worst "bedside manner" afterall they are there to treat animals not molly coddle the owners.

agreed that he isnt there to 'molly coddle' me - but manners cos NOTHING! Wouldnt be so bad if he got the diagnosis right now would it!

Sorry ClaireyS but when I see a vet I want one that is there for me and not just my dog.  I had to wait a week to have my dog PTS a couple of weeks ago because I didn't want to go and see the rude, abrupt vet that was at my normal practice as that was the last thing I wanted to go through on my dogs last journey.  I wanted it to be the most pleasant (if that's the right word) way for both her and me.

I know it's a different scenario but there's a vet now at my practice that is rude, obnoxious, have a feeling that he may be of the anti-pedigree brigade and he's the last person I want to take my dogs to.

There is rude and obnoxious and there is abrupt.  I wouldnt want rude and obnoxious but my old vet was very abrupt and matter of fact, he was a fantastic vet and was straight up with the facts, he didnt fluff things up, and he would have told you straight if he thought (as original example) you were making your dog worse by fussing over it.

With regards to PTS, that was when his sympathetic side came out (although still clinical/matter of fact) and he always had a nurse with him which helped.