Guest tammymacb Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Help! Since we returned from vacation, ( January 16 ) Saylor has had a mild, non productive cough. At first, I didn't think much about it, but it's not gotten better. She's not lost weight, she is still acting normally, still running around and chasing her ball. So, today, I google'd canine coughing and it's the #1 symptom for heartworm! Now, I'm really worried. She is on preventative, her last dose was this week. I adopted her from the ASPCA, so I don't know her past. She did test negative at the shelter....What else could it be? I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow, but I'm making myself sick wondering if she had a really early case and now it's worse. Ideas? A few more facts. I adopted her the end of August. She's on heartguard. She's a 100% inside dog. I am a bit worried about the quality of her exam at the shelter, since I was told she was spayed when she wasn't. I took her for a regular check up at my vet after adopting her, but since she had just been tested for HW, she wasn't tested again. One of the reasons I wasn't terribly worried about her cough for the first couple days is because when Angus and I went on vacation my step daughter stayed with her and she is a vet tech. I thought maybe she'd brought home some kind of URI and since Saylor was acting normally in all other aspects, I thought it would run it's course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Don't panic: it could easily be a URI. Kennel cough (bordatella) is not uncommon. I don't have personal experience of it, but I think it's not normally serious unless there is some other underlying problem. Your vet will check it out. Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PiagetsMom Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Even though they were vaccinated, both my son's pups, a lab-mix and GSP, just got over a bout of kennel cough that they picked up at a kennel while boarded over Christmas. But, I wouldn't describe them as having a mild, unproductive cough......they were both pretty congested and obviously not feeling well. The vet had them on meds and it took them a couple of weeks to get over the worst of it. About a year ago, Piaget had a mild, unproductive cough. After x-rays, the vet diagnosed her with an URI, and she was on anti-biotics for a couple of weeks. If it's worrying you, it's best you're taking her in to see the vet. Hoping it's nothing serious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Sounds like "Kennel Cough," to me. Yes, even though they are vaccinated, they can still get it. I'd see you vet, as he/she can give something for the cough, and possibly an antiboitic, too. Maybe a chest x-ray is in order. Sending you love, hugs, and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PiagetsMom Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 One of the reasons I wasn't terribly worried about her cough for the first couple days is because when Angus and I went on vacation my step daughter stayed with her and she is a vet tech. I thought maybe she'd brought home some kind of URI and since Saylor was acting normally in all other aspects, I thought it would run it's course. For what it's worth, wanted to add that my DS was told that it's almost always passed from dog to dog contact - the germs don't usually survive to be passed from a person who has been with a sick pup. They asked because they were worried about bringing it over to my pups. Their vet told them that the vaccinations are like our Flu vaccines......they protect against most strains, but sometimes a new or different strain comes through and they're not protected against it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FullMetalFrank Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 It sounds like it could be kennel cough; try this... tap her gently on the throat (where her trachea is) If she coughs right after you do this, it could indicate kennel cough (I just learned this handy tip in school.) The bordatella shots are far from 100% effective against all strains of kennel cough. If I were you I would also have her heartworm test repeated just for peace of mind, it's an inexpensive test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tammymacb Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 We're home from the vet and Saylor is fine. Probably something URI, but her lungs are clear and her repeat HW test was again negative. Of course, I noticed this morning that she never coughed once from the time we got up to the time we got to the vets office. But, I feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Greyt news! Hugs to you and Saylor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greysonly Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Great news I am glad to hear Saylor is feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PiagetsMom Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Of course, I noticed this morning that she never coughed once from the time we got up to the time we got to the vets office. But, I feel better. Kids and dogs.....funny how they have a way of doing that to you If it gave you some peace of mind, then it wasn't a wasted trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Glad it's probably just an infection. I would have gotten another HW test too, just for peace of mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytmiles Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 It sounds like it could be kennel cough; try this... tap her gently on the throat (where her trachea is) If she coughs right after you do this, it could indicate kennel cough (I just learned this handy tip in school.) The bordatella shots are far from 100% effective against all strains of kennel cough. If I were you I would also have her heartworm test repeated just for peace of mind, it's an inexpensive test. I'm totally going to try this! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.