What to do when your dog has a cough
DEARVAL>> My dog went to a doggie playgroup and now he is coughing. He is up to date on all his vaccines so I thought it would be safe for him to play. I don’t understand why he still got a cough. Some of the other dog parents said their dogs started coughing as well.
DEAR COUGHING DOG PARENT
>>I am sorry to hear about your coughing dog and I hope that he feels much better as we speak.
Being the founder of several doggie daycares over the past 2 decades has resulted in the unfortunate experience of hearing lots of doggie coughs.
Please know that dogs should be fully vaccinated before participating in dog park activities, play groups, daycares, kennels, group classes, and pet resorts. There are a few vaccines that your vet will give your dog that are specifically meant to prevent coughs. These vaccines prevent coughs that used to make dogs very sick. But through proper vaccinating we have mostly eradicated these particular types of coughing illnesses in dogs. So, if your dog had these vaccines, he should not get this type of cough. This is similar as to when we get a whooping cough vaccine, we should not get whooping cough, right? Right.
Now, there are other types of coughs that your dog can get. These are usually described as viral coughs. Viral coughs are similar to a common cough or cold for us. It may be a nuisance and we may need to take some medicine to make us feel a little better, but it goes away. The last I checked, there were approximately 40 different strains or types of viral doggie coughs. This type of cough can be compared to when your child brings home a runny nose or cough and cold from preschool. Keep them home, make them comfortable and call the vet if they get worse or it doesn’t go away within a few days.
For the most part, dogs need to breath in the virus to contract it, but viruses can also live on surfaces, in water buckets or fountains, on toys and bedding and kennels and other surfaces. I have actually had the experience of working in an environment with some coughing dogs and my dogs contracted kennel cough several days later. I speculated it was from my clothing. I begin changing clothes and removing shoes before interacting with my pups after that.
The biggest problems with kennel cough are that it is contagious and so therefore your pup cannot participate in the fun, energy exerting activities and regular exercise they are used to. They may seem completely healthy and active but they won’t be able to go to daycare or sleepovers for a few days and this can be very inconvenient for a working parent or someone about to travel. When routine exercise is important for both of your well-being and your pup needs to stay home, can be a challenge.
Hearing your beloved pet cough is very concerning as for we are compassionate beings and want to help them. There are home remedies that can make them feel better and subdue some symptoms such as honey water and accompanying them in moist steamy rooms, or a humidifier to name a few. Promote some mild exercise at home such as ball toss, find it games, brain games, or training exercises to entertain your dog.
These types of viral coughs will usually disappear within a few days without any intervention. In the event they start to get worse, if your dog is tired or wont eat, you would want to consult your Vet right away.
Younger dogs and older dogs and squishy face breed dogs may get a worse cough then other ages and breeds. These dogs may need to take medicine prescribed by your vet to help fight the cough or prevent other complications from happening.
Either way, this article is not in lieu of consulting with your vet, it is written to provide you with a little more knowledge and possibly provide a source of consolation.
I hope this clarifies a little bit about doggie coughs.
It is a risk to having a social dog, but the benefits of doggie fun and socializing should outweigh cough.
If you have a question about training or behavior, please email me at HappyLabLady77@Yahoo.com
Make it a Pawsitive Day!
Val S Elliott CPDT Behavior Coach
W5ss of Wisdo2:
Socializing and play is a risk to having a social dog, but the benefits of doggie fun and socializing should outweigh potential injuries or a cough.
The D5ily Dos:
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