Hi, I have a litter of 4 week old puppies and two have started to cough up clear mucus.  They seem to panic when it happens, splutter it everywhere and run about.  Mum seems worried by this (as well as me).  I have booked an appointment at the Vet later, but wondered if anyone had any experience of this type of thing, or any ideas what it could be?  I have noticed them shiver at times too, although I have put them on head pads now.  Any suggestions as what I could do to help them, before I visit the vet would be appreciated. They do seem to feed okay from Mum still. Thanks.

Andy

I am sorry that I dont have an answer for you really. You have done the right thing get an appointment with your vet.
I wondered if it was a virus as kennel cough is doing the rounds at the moment, and if anyone has been in to see your pups they could of brought it into the litter. To have two suggests a viral infection of some kind I would of thought. I have had this in just older dogs with kennel cough and also when one just had a virual infection.
However their are many conditions that could also have this affect. If its mucas it could be the  oesophagus not working properly however in these cases normally food is sicked back not mucas so I would think its a virus of some sort.  If two have it the whole lot may end up with it and also the mother.
Ask the vet also if their immunity is ok. Probably some anti-biotics such as synulox liquid will sort your pups out. Keep them warm and dry, yet not too hot. Make sure they are having fluids and get them to your vet as soon as you can do. Let me know how you got on.
Nutkin

Nutkin Thanks for your reply.  We took three of the puppies to the vet and she said it is a viral infection and injected antibiotics. Today we have to take all the puppies to be examined and possibly injected.  She said they would need to go in every day for a few days to be injected.  She said their temperature was slightly raised.  Today the three that were injected seem well again and are playing and eating, etc.  I must say that it was a VERY unpleasant experience at the vets - the puppies SCREAMED when she took their temperature, let alone when she injected them and I think that maybe she was a little heavy handed.  I am not looking forward to taking them back at all!  I just wish that one injection had done the trick. Is it usual to need a few days treatment do you know?

Thanks again for your help.

Andy

If  she was heavy handed, see a different vet,you dont want the pups to be scared of the vets when they are older.

Hi, I wondered if I can have some more advise.  We took the whole litter of puppies back to the vet the next day (last Friday) and saw a different vet.  He injected only two of the puppies and said to only bring them back if we were worried.  Out of the litter of 8, two have a yellowish/green discharge from their nose (vet did comment on this), but apart from this and the bringing up of mucous (very occasional cough), seem well in themselves (playing, eating okay).  That was about 5 days ago, and although they still seem playful, etc, still are being sick and have the discharge.  Should they be taken back to the vet, or will it run its course?  Neither vet mentioned kennel cough (just said a 'virus') Opinions please!

Thanks

Andy

If it were me I would still be worried (and it sounds like you still are) and take them back to the vets. Young pups can suddenly go downhill, as they don't have big reserves to fall back on, and I wouldn't want to take the chance.
Kat