Dr. Christie :
Welcome to JustAnswer, this is Dr. Christie.
Dr. Christie :How long has your dog been coughing?
<span class="JA_chatAuthorName"Customer:Since yesterday (Saturday 5 a.m.)
Dr. Christie :Is she eating and drinking normally?
Dr. Christie :Does the cough seem worse after activity?
<span class="JA_chatAuthorName"Customer:Yes eating and drinking just a little less than usual
Dr. Christie :Any mucoid nasal discharge?
<span class="JA_chatAuthorName"Customer:The cough gets a little worse after activity and boxers are excitable when paid attention to.
<span class="JA_chatAuthorName"Customer:Nose is running somewhat like when she comes in from the cold weather in the winter.
Dr. Christie :So a clear discharge?
<span class="JA_chatAuthorName"Customer:Yes clear.
Dr. Christie :The good thing is kennel cough does not cause death, it is just more of a nuciance than anything.
Dr. Christie :It sounds horrible when they cough!
<span class="JA_chatAuthorName"Customer:How about human cough syrup
Dr. Christie :Typically the cough is the worst the first week, but starts to get better!
Dr. Christie :She could cough for up to 3-4 weeks, but the cough will progresively get better.
Dr. Christie :She is on cough tablts already-this has guafenisin in them
<span class="JA_chatAuthorName"Customer:Is doxycycline the protocol
Dr. Christie :Doxycycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic and can be used, as can several others
Dr. Christie :Our concerns with kennel cough are 1) how infectious it is, and 2) development into pneumonia
Dr. Christie :This is why we place them on antibiotics-to prevent pneumonia development
<span class="JA_chatAuthorName"Customer:Now about my little old girl (10 lbs.) Is it inevitable that she we get it or is there any way to prevent it as she coughs already because of her cardiac insufficiency
Dr. Christie :Monitor Tootsie's eating and drinking. Should she go completely off feed and water, she needs to be seen immediately as she may have developed pneumonia. Though she shouldn't with being on antibiotics
Dr. Christie :If she has not been vaccinated against it, there is a good likelihood she will get it. Incubation priod for knnel cough is about 7-14 days
Dr. Christie :There is nothing to prvent her from getting it now as she has already been exposed.
Dr. Christie :Monitor her for any change in her cough. If you notice she starts having problems and her cough is getting worse, then get her to the vet immediately!
