| some important facts about canine cough
Canine cough complex
You must always remember that there are OVER 25 types of this complex with some being bacterial and thus susceptible to antibiotics and most being viral and not being treatable with antibiotics
vaccines will protect against 3 types only! (A2, Parainfluenza and Bordetella) these are the 3 most common BUT we see alot of the less common and unpreventable types
MOST vets will treat EVERY case of canine cough with antibiotics for a couple reasons 1) to make money 2) to make the client feel like they are doing something to help the dog and 3) to prevent secondary infections. MOST vets also will automatically blame the shelter or kennel for infecting the dog and never inform their client of the true facts! They almost always make out like the kennel or shelter MUST be doing something very bad for any dog to catch this and that is not true. Even with the best ventilation and disifecting methods dogs can still contract canine cough complex AND can even contract it at the vets own office!
Incubation period is 3 to 14 days depending upon type and the cough will last from 7 days to 3 weeks again depending upon type. We generally advise clients to keep the dog at home and fairly quiet and to support the immune system with echinacae and vit C (and Nutri biotic plus[grapeseed extract] works well also) for 7 days before going to the vet. If after 7 days the cough is the same or worse then yes go to the vet. This avoids the dog being needlessly treated with antibiotics.
MOST of the cases we see that are caught the first day or two and supported as stated above are on their way to being better by 7 days and thus need no vet care. Shelter dogs though who have been allowed to cough without nutritional support and stress free rest often do get worse by day 7 and do need vet care
Once not coughing though the dog is still shedding virus for up to 30 days AND dogs can get very mild forms and never cough! They just gag a bit and maybe have a runny nose. These dogs are acually shedding virus as well and are contagious
Dogs can and do contract canine cough from vets offices, dog parks, training centers, animal shelters, boarding kennels AND from the 1 dog they meet while out for a walk! It IS NOT just a kennel related thing. Your dog can also contract it from coyotes and feral dogs without ever meeting them if they drink from the same standing water source!
Just some important facts to remember!!
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03-11-2000, 06:44 AM
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