Holistic Treatments For A Dog’s Kennel Cough
In addition to the medications, I invested in a warm steam vaporizer. It was under $20 bucks and helped open my dog’s lungs so he could breathe better. I closed the bathroom door off, put the warm steam vaporizer on, and sat with Dexter twice a day for several weeks for 30 minutes at a time.
I learned about honey for dogs with throat issues and cough. After confirming its safety with my vet, I gave Dexter half a tablespoon of manuka honey once or twice a day based on his size.. Thanks to the antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties of honey, it can help to soothe the dog’s throat. Be cognizant of the amount of natural sugar in honey, especially if your dog has diabetes.
When I discussed my dog’s condition with long-time Cocker Spaniel foster mom, Naomi Lukaszewski, she wondered why the vet wasn’t adding a probiotic to Dexter’s regimen of medications. Lightbulb moment!
“Carol, could it be that your dog has a yeast infection in his ears as a side effect to antibiotics,” Naomi asked me.
The vet prescribed Surolan ear drops, Clavamox, continue the Prevacox, and I asked about a probiotic, which was given.
When to Avoid Giving Your Dog Benadryl
Do not use Benadryl if your pet suffers from the following diseases: glaucoma, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, seizure disorder, gastrointestinal or urinary obstruction, or lung disease. Benadryl may negatively interact with other medications, for example, central nervous system depressants. Make sure to consult your veterinarian before giving Benadryl if your pet is on any medication. If your dog is having difficulty breathing or swelling in the facial area, take them to the vet immediately.
What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel Cough is a bronchial respiratory disease in dogs. Also called Infectious Tracheobronchitis or Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD), it’s highly contagious. It can spread to a healthy dog after exposure to the secretions of another infected dog.
It’s essentially a bacterial infection that dogs give to each other when in confined spaces with poor airflow and bad air quality. Animal shelters, boarding kennels, dog parks, grooming businesses, and doggie daycare centers can all be culprits to foster CIRD.
They can catch it via sneezing, coughing, or sharing chewy objects. This can develop three or four days after exposure. CIRD can last as little as one to two weeks. But, more severe cases can last as long as three to six weeks.
This causes mild to severe symptoms that include enflamed bronchioles and trachea along with a dry cough. It sometimes sounds like the dog has something caught in its throat. This cough will be persistent and occur all day long. In some instances, white foam can result.
In severe cases, the dog may experience loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, and labored breathing. While it’s not fatal at the outset, it can progress to a life-threatening issue. Most dogs recover easily, but some may become fatally ill with pneumonia. If left untreated, they can die.
Puppies and older dogs are most at risk of developing severe cases of CIRD. This is because puppies have immature immunity and older dogs have decreased immunity. Also, pregnant dogs and dogs with preexisting health conditions are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.
What can I give my dog for kennel cough over the counter?
Is your doggo having an allergic reaction? It’s easy to think medications that work so well on humans can do the same for our pets, and in this specific case – you’re right. Benadryl is safe for dogs of any size.
You have the a-okay to give your dog this human medication, as long as it’s used appropriately. Your furry friend might be experiencing their own dog allergies, but Benadryl can also have a helpful effect on anxiety and motion sickness when traveling. Before you jump the gun, it’s good to know the basics.