hi i once tryed honey for a bitch i had with this problem seemed to do the trick.also used a menthol vapor insted of using drugs during pregnancy.anyone else used similar remidies.

To answer your question, yes, if cough mixture, honey and menthol vapour work that is fine whilst the dog is not 'ill' if the dog becomes truly ill as opposed to having a cough then that dog needs the attention of a vet.

KC like the common cold in that it can't be cured, but you can treat the symptoms, 'proper' medication is only required to treat any secondary infection which can be serious and should be treated by a vet or it may lead to pneumonia or another serious infection. Providing the vet knows the bitch may be in whelp they will take every care, and it is better to treat and make sure the bitch is in a condition to continue the whelp and at term to give birth, a dead bitch or one with seriously compromised health is no good to the expected pups.