How long does Kennel Cough last?

Hi, this is Uabassoon's (Laura) girlfriend Alexa. [I posted a couple times under a different handle but that was eons ago.]

Anyway, it looks like my new pup Dewey has kennel cough- every now and then he makes a sound like he's clearing his throat, then coughs, sometimes coughing up a little white foam. Today he's refused to eat his dry food, but he did eat some wet food. He's also acting more mellow, but still will play fetch and enjoys his walks- though, his coughing does seem more prevelent when we're on them and he's pulling on his collar.

Anyway, I've read that in mild cases, vets usually don't give medication. We had a vet visit yesterday (before I noticed the coughing) and he didn't have a temperature, so I'm wondering if a vet visit would really be neccessary or if I should just let it run it's course. (He's a 1 year old dog and otherwise seems healthy). I was also wondering roughly how long it lasts; Laura and I have him signed up for obediance school starting the 26th and we'd really hate to cancel since the next session we could attend won't start until July.

it takes 10 days to 2 weeks to run it's course. My vet is one of those who doesn't give meds for kennel cough. Personally, I'd watch and make sure he's drinking. Dehydration can cause huge problems in a big hurry. If he stops drinking or his temperature goes up, then get him to a vet. You can give an over the counter cough syrup. We used benylin. Just make sure it is soley cough suppresant, no tylenol or decongestant or anything else in it. A couple teaspoons before bed will help all of you get some rest.

Exhertion can worsen the symptoms so limiting his activity is probably a good idea. If he really has kennel cough he won't feel like doing anything in a couple days anyway!

Kennel cough is highly contagious and airborne. You have to keep him away from other dogs or they will get it too. My dogs got it in 2004 from another dog team over a mile away! He probably had it in the shelter and just wasn't showing any symptoms. It's very common in places were large groups of dogs are kept.

Hope the pupper is feeling better soon!

Thanks for the advice. The Human Society warned me that kennel cough had been going around so I've been on the look-out for it and am not surprised. So far he's drinking fine, but I'll be sure to keep an eye on him and consult a vet if his condition gets worse.

I know that Nala has kennel cough when she was a puppy. She was 8 weeks old when we got her and the Humane Society only had her and her littermates for a week or so, it was gone by the time we adopted her.

It's nice to see you here Alexa, you should join us more often! Give that Dewey a big ole hug from me and The Muttlies!

G'day Alexa, :)
Kennel cough is basically a doggie cold, and like us it can be a minor irritation or a huge hassle. Monitor him carefully, being underweight and also young when you got him, I'd be more inclined to go to a vet, mainly because he wasn't in the best of health and on the mend in the first place. Your vet should have told you his ideal weight by now I'm guessing, so that should also be monitored carefully. (enjoying the cuddles too I bet:) )

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Originally posted by Oggyflute
Your vet should have told you his ideal weight by now I'm guessing, so that should also be monitored carefully.

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The vet told me not to worry too much about his weight. He told me that he could stand to gain 3 or 4 pounds but that dachshund's tend to put on weight after to getting fixed and that I shouldn't be concerned about it. He is build is pretty slight, and although he's on the thin side, he's not terribly underweight.

But I'll of course monitor him carefully.

First of all Welcome Alexa! Glad to see you posting. When I adopted Casey from the pound my Vet said to call if she started coughing its common in animals rescued. I bet if you call the vet they will prescribe something over the phone, its pretty common and an antibiotic will help him get over it.

Hugs to you on dealing with this isn't ubasson out of town?

I just came across this post...Welcome to Pet Talk first of all! I assume now that Dewey is in the picture, we will be seeing more of you around! :D
I think you should probably take Dewey to the vet...I'm not real familiar with his background but if he was a rescued dog, the cough could be a symptom of many things,including heartworm infection. Probably best to get him treated either way!
And the obedience class may just have to wait! You don't want to expose other dogs to kennel cough!

Here is some info from vetinfo.com:

Kennel cough is most commonly associated with a bacterial infection caused by the organism Bordetella bronchiseptica. While it is hard to be certain in veterinary medicine when discussing statistics, it is estimated that 80 to 90% of the cases of kennel cough are due to this organism. The other 10 to 20% of cases are caused by a variety of other infectious agents, most of them viral. Kennel cough has been associated with parainfluenza virus, adenovirus and canine distemper virus as well as the Bordetella bacteria.

The incubation period from the time a dog is exposed until clinical signs appear varies depending on which infectious agent is the cause. In general it appears to be about 3 to 5 days with Bordetella. The infection tends to be mild except for a very harsh cough that often prompts owners to think that their dog "has something caught in his throat". In some dogs it can lead to pneumonia or more serious signs. Cough suppressants can be used to control the cough and antibiotics may be necessary for stubborn infections or to try to stop the spread of the bacteria in multiple dog households. It is probably a good idea to vaccinate dogs who will be exposed to large numbers of other dogs, such as at shows, obedience classes or the classic cause -- when left in kennels. The intranasal vaccine is pretty fast acting, providing some protection in as little as 5 days. The injectable version of the vaccine may provide longer immunity, though. Some vets use both to get maximum protection. We don't use either one routinely but give the intranasal vaccine to our patients who will be exposed to groups of dogs

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Originally posted by jennifert9
I think you should probably take Dewey to the vet...I'm not real familiar with his background but if he was a rescued dog, the cough could be a symptom of many things,including heartworm infection. Probably best to get him treated either way!

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I did end up making him an appointment tomorrow to see a vet. I've been at the office almost daily since Thursday, but luckily this time my girlfriend will be bringing him in since I have finals.

Thanks for the extra info about kennel cough. I'm hoping for the best and a speedy recovery. I would still like him to start obedience school, but I of course won't do anything to put the other animals at risk.

I'm glad you are taking him in to the Vets. I know an antibiotic
did seem to help two of my dogs that had kennel cough. It must
run it's course, but the antibiotic helps too.

Dewey should be good to go for the class on the 26th. :)

I'll be taking Dewey to the vet early tomorrow morning. I'll be sure to update when we get back.

Grybai and Uabassoon....
Any update on your pup?

We took him to the vet yesterday, they gave him an antibitic shot and a cortizone shot. They also sent him home with some more antibiotics and cough medicine. I think the cortizone was helpful because it seemed to stimulate his appetite, he finally ate yesterday the two days before that he either wouldn't eat at all or just pick at his food. He also seemed to have a lot more energy. I haven't seen him today (I had to be at work at 4:45 a.m.!). but I talked to Alexa not to long ago and she said that he was acting a little slow this morning and wouldn't eat. So I'll be heading over there soon to go check on him.

I'm sure he'll be fine, especially since he's on meds. Pretty soon these medical problems will be a thing of the past and you will be able to enjoy him.

aww, I hope Dewey feels better SOON! :( poor little guy! It does sound like he doesn't have a horrible case, which is good.

I dont know if he could go to Obedience in 2 weeks. . maybe, if you and your vet are absolutely positive that he isn't contagious. My sister adopted a pup from the pound a few months ago, and she came to them with kennel cough but had NO symptoms, except for a few coughs. Bentley, their Bulldog, almost died from it. They spent tons of money getting him better, and he just layed in one spot for days :( which is not common for Ben. Some dogs hardly react to it, especially dogs with longer snouts and better respiration. . short-muzzled breeds tend to have huge problems with it, so you should be very careful with Dewey and other dogs for a couple weeks.

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so you should be very careful with Dewey and other dogs for a couple weeks.

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Don't worry, like Alexa said there is no way we are going to put other dogs at risk. While it would be nice if he was all better in two weeks we aren't going to take him to a class if he isn't feeling well and if he could get other dogs sick.