Coughing

[k&s]

One of my rotties started coughing intermittently yesterday. It sounds to me like the kind of deep, unproductive cough that people with bronchitis have. He has been vaccinated for Bordatella (Kennel Cough). I'm wondering, are there various other types of kennel cough and is it likely this is what he has? Or could it be something else?

He has not been kenneled in years, but we do go to class 2X per week, one at a training center where there have been new dogs in several beginning classes.

We're going to vet tomorrow.

[Rott-Wiley]

It also could be heartworms? Best thing is to have him seen by your vet.

[moondog]

The only time Luna coughs is when she's been out grazing and has a long string of grass stuck in her throat. Any possibility there's something hung up in there, like a string from a rope toy or something similar?

[Miabella]

There is a strain of kennel cough going around in the Mid-Atlantic, several people I know have had dogs pick it up at shows and trials over the last month. Many of those dogs were vacc'd, too. The vaccine doesn't seem to make too much of a difference, unfortunately.

[jasygirl]

I have also known several people whose dogs contracted kennel cough even with a vaccination. Both of my girls had it (Mia brought it home from the pound). It was a rough sounding cough and they both got runny noses. The vet put them on antibiotics and it cleared right up.
Also, the vet told me that the vaccination only lasts a couple of months at best.

[k&s]

The Syracuse show was recently and a number of people where I train attended it. Who knows, could have picked up something from there. I do recall last week in class my rottie with a cough licked at a spot on the floor of the training area. Well, I;ll take him in tomorrow and see what's what. Not much I can do to prevent it, I suppose as long as I am getting him out and exposed to other dogs while training and at dog events.

[flyballmom]

It's possible it's kennel cough. Vaccine don't completely prevent illness, they keep the dog from having a full blown case of the illness...a milder version.

[LUVMYROTTNBOY]

I just had my dog in boarding, he has been vaccinated against kennel cough....My vet said that my dog picked up one of the strains not covered by the vaccine. So, he is now going through treatment (7-10days).

Zeiss's symptoms, he was lethargic all the time, I had to carry him outside for potty breaks, and he made a deep cough/choking sound. My guess is he had this for several days while in boarding and no one noticed. I took him to the vet asap.

Since I live in the mid-west I’m guessing this might be the same strain going around the dog shows?

[k&s]

Got back from the vets this afternoon. Looks as if it is an early stage of kennel cough. Vet gave an antibiotic injection and I am to follow that with Cephalexin antibiotic 2X per day for 2 weeks. She also told me to give him 1/8 teaspoon of Robitussin expectorant (the one with guaifenesin as the only active ingredient) 2 times per day for a few days to loosen up the cough. Turns out I have a cold too, so he and I are both taking the Robitussin.

Vet indicated that the kennel cough vaccine is now thought to last only a few months, as some of you had indicated. She recommended vaccinating 2X per year and possibly 4X per year.

My other issue is the exposure of my other rottie to the kennel cough. He is currently in remission from lupus, and we don't want him to get something that will set off a lupus flare. Vet did not recommend a prophylactic course of antibiotics for him because we do not want to encourage resistance. We also do not vaccinate him for anything other than rabies. So, I just need to keep an eye on him and contact vet at first sign of sneezing or coughing.

[jasygirl]

My vet also told me that the vaccination which is squirted up the nose is better than the one given by shot. Others may know more about this, but you might look into it.

[papa bear's mom]

i vaccinate all my dogs for kennel cough. they all got a very mild case of it about a year ago - all were walking around and coughing, bringing up a tiny bit of phlegm as well. i also just read that the vaccine (and learned in dog class as well) that bordetella is only effective for a few months, most vets around here recommending that you vaccinate 2x per year instead of once. i feel it's best to vaccinate, b/c even if they get it, it is usually quite mild. it's not life threatening. it happens. also, almost every kennel and dog school requires the vaccination. i have only had that one incident where they got it but i didn't have my rott at the time. it was just my three girls. just thought that might help. it happens. i believe i did end up giving an anitibiotic to my oldest dog to help her thru it. plus i always get the stuff up the nose for the vaccine as well. i don't know if that is any more effective or not, never asked. at times, i have had the vaccine combined with the lymes as well. :)