kennel cough= sleeping?

**propianoplayer** · 08-09-2003, 10:19 AM

I am looking to adopt a Sheltie. The Dog is 5 years ago and has kennel Cough. They are giving treatments for the cough, but the dog is really sluggish. The people at the Kennel say that the medicine is making the dog tired. Is this true? I do not want to adopt a sick dog. Would it be ok to say to the people at the kennel that I will adopt the dog but it has to be healthy? I tried to adopt a dog before and it ended up passing away because it never got better. It just got worse over time. How should I handle this situation?

Thanks

Brandon

**Aspen and Misty** · 08-09-2003, 02:05 PM

My pup Nova got Kennel cough when she wnet to get spayed.

She was very very tierd, hardly moved, but she also was inflammed because of just having surgery and was in a great deal of pain, so I can not answer your question about the medicine making him tierd.

Sheltie's are a great breed, my mom owns one named Teddy. I can see yoru concern about adopting a sick dog, I would hate to adopt a dog, get compltly attached and then have it pass on to the rainbow bridge.

Ash

**KYS** · 08-09-2003, 03:21 PM

I do know that kennel cough is highly contagious respiratory infection, and many dogs catch while in a boarding kennel from
another dog.
If the case is mild, given proper care and rest the dog should
recover in a couple of weeks and should be just fine.

Depends how serious the disease is. If you are worried,
tell them you will be happy to adopt the dog,
after he has recovered. You might want to look up kennel
cough on the PC to gather more information from web
sites. My dogs have never had kennel cough,
and it is a curable disease. Their might be others
on the site that have had experience with Kennel cough
that can be of more help. Welcome to Pet talk.

**propianoplayer** · 08-09-2003, 04:11 PM

Thanks! I want to make sure the dog is healthy! I am also scared that the dog's attitude isn't what it would be if he felt good. I dont want to get the dog home and have him heal and be a totally different dog. I guess i have to take into account that the breed is naturally shy towards strangers also. I am sure that he will warm up and become more friendly when he feels better and when he gets to know me a little better.

Thanks again!

Brandon

**binka_nugget** · 08-09-2003, 05:59 PM

Ohhh what a great breed. I can not tell you enough how great this breed is. I'm sure they'd understand if you told them you'd gladly adopt the dog once it recovers. Now since I'm a sheltie fanatic...I'm going to have to bombard this thread with sheltie info for you

Like you said, they are naturally shy to strangers. Now, that's just strangers not owners. After a couple minutes of petting and greeting, Kai warms up to the stranger. Also, take into account that this breed is a bit...talkative. Not all shelties are but generally, they are. My sheltie can hold a conversation for half an hour easily by himself. But, it's not really a bad thing because he barks at non familiar people coming towards the house. He also barks at playtime. Other than the barking and shyness, everything else would suit most people.

**propianoplayer** · 08-10-2003, 04:20 PM

I went to look at the dog again today, and he looks really bad. They have been giving him injections for a week and the cough is still there. They say that they dont know what it is... I feel so bad for the dog. He just lays there... doesn't even move when someone comes in. I feel that I just can not adopt this animal in the condition that it is in. They said that they would continue to hold him for me and when he recovered I could adopt him. I'll just have to wait and see how he is then.

Brandon

**lv4dogs** · 08-11-2003, 09:14 AM

It may be heartworm, have they tested for it? Some dogs may get really depressed & scared while in a shelter. Which can cause lethargy & also can lower their immune system making it harder to fight off disseases & illnesses. Is he getting worse or just staying the same? Has the shelter been bringing this to their vets attention often? I think another visit w/ the vet is in order. I hope this guy gets better so he can get a good home. Do you have other pets? If not then why not bring him home w/ you? Maybe it will perk him up. I am sure the shelter would have a form of some sort for a refund if the illness is so bad that you can not have him as a pet. Can you afford the vet bills? Personally (me) a situation like that would want to make me adopt the animal even more so I can help it. Good luck, he is in my thoughts for a speedy & happy recovery!

**propianoplayer** · 08-11-2003, 10:03 AM

I am not sure if he has been tested for heartworm. He seems to have good days and bad days. On friday when i saw him he seemed to be pretty good. You could tell that he didn't feel good, but he wasn't just laying around either. Yesturday when i saw him he just didn't even lift his head. It seemed really bad. I do have another dog. So I do not want to bring anything into the house that will get my current dog sick. If I didn't have another dog then I would bring him home. They feel that they do not want to send the dog home as sick as he is. They have a vet on staff that has been monitering him. Hopefully he will get better. We'll see.

Brandon