Possible kc...home remedies?

[FilosFolks]

Hello to all, sorry in advance for the length but there are details I wanted to include.

I have a 14wk old female that has had a nasal dose of Bordatella at 9wks. At 13wks she had an injectible version as well (I was not asked or offered an option and I thought it was just going to be Parvo/Dist/Para/whatever combo).
After the 9wk nasal she coughed a couple times (dry) and i thought maybe it was just a pig ear going down or whatever. Didn't think twice about it.
Now after the 13wk injectible she has had a slight wet cough followed by a dry gagging (nothing comes up) in the morning/night specifically. Once or twice a day for about five days. She is acting completely normal otherwise.
I called the vet to see exactly what she's been given, and asked why she was given a borda booster so soon and why I was not given a choice in the matter, as I would have opted out as I did with Lepto (which they would have given her as well). Their response was unnacceptible and I will not be going back to them. So out of curiosity I looked at the vacc chart/card they filled out when you bring in a new baby and GUESS WHAT!?! They had her down for EVERYTHING including RABIES at 17wks!! Rabies given with all others at the same time didn't surprise me as much as a THIRD borda vacc. But, I don't want to rant too much about this vet (who has done surgeries for me and I trusted) as we won't be back for numerous reasons I won't get into. I just want others to pay attention and be aware of what is being administered...don't just plop them on the table and let the vets do their thing. ASK! Over vaccinations and effects are very real and I am ever thankful for the knowledge and continual learning this forum provides us.

On to my question: If this could be a beginning of kc what can I give her to help boost her immune system? I read about vit C and grapefruit seed ext but the thread didn't include how much, etc. If it were me I'd be pumped full of C and echinacea but I'm not a dog and I don't know what or how much of anything to give her... I'd also like to ask for any suggestions on books for home remedies? She weighs 30lbs and OF COURSE we will be at another vet if things develop (knock on wood). As always, any advice is much appreciated and thanks in advance.

Ailee, Fylo, and Lexi Marie

[FilosFolks]

Hello again,

Now, since yesterday afternoon after work and coming home again today, she greets me with a gravelly "chuff" or weeze when she breathes instead of her usual whine and scolding (vocal girl). It lasted a few seconds til she's done saying hello. Started right up again for a few seconds tonight getting excited over one of her cats. I would prefer to let her pre-empt/beat a potential kc threat naturally as opposed to anti-biotics that may not work on a potential virus.

Any immune boost or diet advice would be very much appreciated.

Again, at this point I've heard a croup type cough and heave once or twice a day for about four days or so as mentioned above, she was at our (old) vet on Saturday for the booster...

[poohbearsmom]

Robutussin CF, non drowsy, no color added (or you will have a pink kitchen).

The nasal vax often causes this reaction, and they develop it. Makes SURE it's kennel cough before administering any meds, and check with your veterinarian on dosage for such a small pup.

[Ayoka]

I'm so sorry to hear yuor little one is ill, when we had a bad "epidemic" here in our agility/flyball community Bear had been exposed but wasn't showing symptoms and the vet reccomended 1000iu of vitamin e.

I too would go to the vet before getting the cough medicine but a freind who had 3 dogs get it did end up using it on the advice of a vet. As pooh mentioned, you want to be extra sure it's ok with a puppy.

[rottie40]

I had a dog who had a similar reaction to the KC vacc.
Now do all mine with homeopathic kennel cough nosode
its just 1 tablet a month and all 7 have never had cough and considering they LIVE at a boarding kennels thats not bad going

[FilosFolks]

Thanks to all for the replies. Her breathing last night was a little labored and this am she had an actual coughing spell so I made an appt with a new doc.

They said there is no test for kc but I swear I read here somewhere they can be tested for it??

I am so mad and upset about this. It really makes me sad this is a common reaction with the nasal and yet they still administer & neglect to mention it's potential effects.

[shybird]

I would not give any medication to a pup that young without a visit to the vet first! Be darn sure, I'd have the pup to the vets office if it were coughing to rule out other illnesses. You would be safe to run a humidifer to sooth the stuffy nose and throat.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by FilosFolks

Thanks to all for the replies. Her breathing last night was a little labored and this am she had an actual coughing spell so I made an appt with a new doc.

They said there is no test for kc but I swear I read here somewhere they can be tested for it??

I am so mad and upset about this. It really makes me sad this is a common reaction with the nasal and yet they still administer & neglect to mention it's potential effects.

Don't be that upset about this; i.e. thinking you've been duped by the veterinarian, etc... There are many strains of bordetella, and the vaccinations only cover a handful. Bordetella is basicly the "common cold" for dogs. The very young, and the very old tend to be more symptomatic, as their immune systems are not as strong as dogs in their prime. There's no reason to change veterinarians over this, if that's what you're doing.

That being said, when we've had KC run through our household, I only have one dog that really goes into coughing fits, and I've used both Rx torbutol or Robutussin for her, but only after checking with my vet.

Labored breathing is not usually a symptom that I'm familiar with, unless the pup is really run down or seriously congested. Have the veterinarian do a full physical on your puppy. Sometimes coughing is a symptom of other problems, so getting her into the veterinarian, especially if her breathing is labored is a good idea.

Don't panic, just make sure you're giving her the proper care.

[FilosFolks]

Hi,

In my op, I wasn't looking for any meds to give her. Rather, if there is anything natural I can be giving her to boost her system. Specifics foods or vitamins. Something that is completely harmless as I do not know what is going on yet. Her cough and gag are still a couple times a day and this could be an allergy for all I know at this point. We'll know more tomorrow she has an appt in the morning.

My reason for switching vets in addition to them having her scheduled for a third kc booster AND rabies on the same day in a month (via that silly chart they filled out first visit) the girl on the phone this week argued with me that Lex couldn't wait til after 6 mos for rabies.
We waited with Fylo and it was the same vet. We didn't even get into the fact it shouldn't be given with her DHPP, she was just the girl answering the phone.

I'm no vet and it doesn't sit well with me to argue with them. They are not very helpful or thorough IMO. Reading RDN like a mad woman this week it's occured to me that we have not had a heartworm discussion yet. I think it's that time of year, right?

I'd like to have a vet I don't have to second guess and I still don't understand why if the nasal is the live version that tends to cause kc, she was given the shot too. Within four weeks. Why not just the shot in the first place?

Thank you all for your input I really truly appreciate it. Btw she is still her happy self, still a couple gags here & there.

Ailee

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by FilosFolks

Hi,

In my op, I wasn't looking for any meds to give her. Rather, if there is anything natural I can be giving her to boost her system. Specifics foods or vitamins. Something that is completely harmless as I do not know what is going on yet. Her cough and gag are still a couple times a day and this could be an allergy for all I know at this point. We'll know more tomorrow she has an appt in the morning.

My reason for switching vets in addition to them having her scheduled for a third kc booster AND rabies on the same day in a month (via that silly chart they filled out first visit) the girl on the phone this week argued with me that Lex couldn't wait til after 6 mos for rabies.
We waited with Fylo and it was the same vet. We didn't even get into the fact it shouldn't be given with her DHPP, she was just the girl answering the phone.

I'm no vet and it doesn't sit well with me to argue with them. They are not very helpful or thorough IMO. Reading RDN like a mad woman this week it's occured to me that we have not had a heartworm discussion yet. I think it's that time of year, right?

I'd like to have a vet I don't have to second guess and I still don't understand why if the nasal is the live version that tends to cause kc, she was given the shot too. Within four weeks. Why not just the shot in the first place?

Thank you all for your input I really truly appreciate it. Btw she is still her happy self, still a couple gags here & there.

Ailee

That's not a bad reason to change veterinarians at all.

You can supplement with Ester C (start out in smaller doses to avoid runny poo) and Salmon oil. Missing Link is a good all around supplement for the immune system. Most importantly, feed the best food you can afford, and a food that your pup thrives on.

I have no idea why your veterinarian chose to double up on the bordetella. My vets warn about the nasal version, and prefer not to administer it. They are also open to discussion on giving it at all, and will listen to me in regards to timing of vaccinations. I've also been going to them for years, and they have learned to trust my judgement on a lot of these matters.

[Rottlva]

Working in a kennel for several years, my Max was exposed to it several times. He got it pretty badly once, and I used the robitussin, along with putting him in the bathroom with a hot shower running for the humidifying effect. He found much relief from that.

[FilosFolks]

Thank you all, she does have a little bronchitis going on, and she reverse sneezed at the vet today. She still isn't really coughing but woke me up twice during the night with the reverse sneezing. What a scary noise that is-like hyperventilating! Lasts a few seconds but seems a lifetime.

So given her age we came home with clavamox & a suppressant in pill form. I think I'll hold off on the suppressant for now or maybe just for nighttime. He said without anti-biotics she'd probably develop further and just take longer to recover. And we are in class so the less we miss the better... Also, the new vet won't touch the nasal version! He talked with me for quite awhile, I feel much better and I hope he works out.

She's been on Nutro Ultra and has done really well on it, only 2-3 BMs a day but I'd like to start mixing in a good food that isn't chicken based. I've noticed most are. So I've been looking around and might try Canidae Lamb or I just noticed today Cal Natural has a beef based puppy food.

Thanks for all the help hopefully these anti-biotics help somehow!
Ailee

[FilosFolks]

So, just to update any potential curiosities Lexi hasn't developed a cough and still has an occasional hack/gag, so the anti-bios seem to have taken over.

Still in very high spirits and all systems are go.

I feel like I jumped the gun on bringing her to the vet but I'm always a "better safe than sorry" type. I did hear from a family friend and dog trainer that clavamox was pretty strong for a puppy. She kinda indicated a wait and see approach should this happen again but given her age it was prob best.

Decided on Canidae Lamb mix-in for now but I'll still try the beef based. Water intake has slowed again.

Thanks for everything,
Ailee & Lexi

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by FilosFolks

I feel like I jumped the gun on bringing her to the vet but I'm always a "better safe than sorry" type. I did hear from a family friend and dog trainer that clavamox was pretty strong for a puppy. She kinda indicated a wait and see approach should this happen again but given her age it was prob best.

Well KC can be deadly to the young or old...so I don't think that you jumped the gun AT ALL!