Robitussin For Kennel Cough

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Has your dog got a persistent cough of late? Does it sound as if they have something stuck in their throat and that they are on the verge of choking?

Well, it could be that your dog has kennel cough and in this article I look at the best ways of treating it.

My main focus will be on the cough suppressant Robitussin but there are alternatives as well.

Robitussin is a brand of cold and cough medicines produced by Wyeth, which is an American pharmaceutical company.

It comes as a syrup, lozenge, tablet and spray and there are well over a dozen different Robitussin products.

Kennel cough is a bacterial and viral infection that makes your dog cough and sound as if they are on their last legs.

But don’t worry- although your dog might sound very poorly, kennel cough isn’t a serious condition and most dogs will recover without treatment.

The classic symptoms of kennel cough is a coughing sound which may make your dog sound a bit like a goose!

It is called kennel cough because, once upon a time, that was where most dogs caught it.

But it is a highly contagious disease which can easily be caught from any other dog that has it.

But if dogs are kept together in cramped conditions with poor ventilation (and one or more of the dogs has the disease) then it will spread like wildfire.

But dogs don’t need to be in close contact with other dogs to catch it, as infected objects that are shared between dogs will also spread the disease.

For coughing: –Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM with dextromethorphan at 10-15 mg/5ml and Guafenisin at 100mg/5ml), for cough. Roughly, 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds for dogs. Note: This is for Robitussin without Codeine.

Drug Interactions:

  • Never give your dog Robitussin without the approval of your veterinarian.
  • Robitussin has not been evaluated for safety during pregnancy or lactation and should be used with caution in either situation.
  • Use with caution in pets with liver disease or skin allergies (atopy).
  • Use with caution in patients with chronic coughs or wet coughs.
  • Should not be used concurrently with Amitraz-containing collars.

    • Can I give my dog Robitussin for kennel cough?

    Many veterinarians (such as this one and this one) recommend using Robitussin with your dog but to bear the following in mind.

    Firstly, if your dog has a persistent cough that lasts longer than a few days then you should book them into see a vet as your dog might not have kennel cough but a more serious condition.

    Secondly, Robitussin is designed to be used with humans and not dogs and so you shouldn’t follow the dosage instructions on the packet!

    Finally, Robitussin will not cure kennel cough, it will only suppress the cough because that is what the drug dextromethorphan does.

    It stops the part of the brain that causes you to cough.

    As I said earlier most dogs will get over kennel cough without any treatment but if you are after a cure then you need to visit your veterinarian and get some antibiotics.

    Like any other infection caused by bacteria or a virus, the only way drugs that will kill the virus or bacteria are antibiotics.

    If most dogs will recover from kennel cough without any medical intervention, then you need to bear in mind the side effects that using Robitussin might have…

    The most common side effect is nausea.

    Some of the milder side effects of this drug include:

    Side Effects and/or Signs of Overdose:

    Vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, sleepiness, drooling, anxiousness

    Signs of overdose include rapid heartbeat, collapse, incoordination, muscle tremors, seizures, facial swelling, and hives.

    FAQ

    Can dogs take Robitussin for kennel cough?

    If your dog is coughing up a storm, you may consider giving him a cough suppressant such as Robitussin. This medicine is only intended to be used for a short time period and should only be given under a veterinarian’s approval.

    Is Robitussin OK for dogs?

    For dry, non-productive coughing in dogs, Robitussin DM (Dextromethorphan)–(2mg/mL), can be given.

    Does Robitussin DM help kennel cough?

    You should not give Robitussin to your dog for kennel cough. Kennel cough is a viral infection and does not respond to antibiotics.

    What medicine can I give my dog with kennel cough?

    Examples of common antibiotics used in serious cases are Doxycycline, Trimethoprim-sulfa, Clavamox, or Baytril. Even cured pets may still be contagious to other pets, since pets infected with Bordatella can shed bacteria for 6-10 weeks.